Be Still

(The next in a series of posts on Prayer, so get ready to think.)

Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 KJV

This verse has been widely used as a prooftext for teachings on prayer and meditation. As in all proper Bible study,we must look at the context of a verse, and the original meaning of the words to make sure we are correctly applying it. In the case of Psalm 46, a psalm of only 11 verses, not looking at the context is inexcusable. What does "Be still" mean in the original language? Does it mean to be quiet? To "center" oneself in preparation for hearing from the LORD? (Who is apparently unable to speak loud enough to penetrate your normal, noisy, preoccupied state.)

1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

2Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

3Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

4There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

5God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

6The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

7The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

8Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.

9He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

10Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

11The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. (Psalm 46:1-11 KJV)

be still: STRONGS H7503 raphah: to slacken, abate, cease, consume, fail, (be) faint, be (wax) feeble, forsake, idle, leave, let alone (go, down), (be) slack, stay, be still, be slothful, (be) weak (-en).

The Keil & Delitsch Commentary tells us:

"Cease, cries He (Psa 46:10) to the nations, from making war upon my people, and know that I am God, the invincible One..." Continuing, they compare it to Psalm 21: 1-12 about which they comment, "A similar inferential admonition closes Psa 2:1-12. With this admonition, which is both warning and threatening at the same time, the nations are dismissed; but the church yet once more boasts that Jehovah Sabaoth is its God and its stronghold."

It is apparent from reading Psalm 46 and from the statements of Keil and Delitsch that "Be Still" has nothing whatsoever to do with some inner condition preparing for spiritual activity. At the conclusion of a psalm describing the vain warring of the nations against the people of God, Jehovah God commands the nations to cease their warring, and to know that He is God. He will be exulted among the heathen and He is with "us," His people. The reality then is that this is not a call to God's people to quiet themselves in order to know that He is God, but it is in fact a command issued to those who are NOT His people to stop waging war against Him and His people.

As the New American Standard translation puts it "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. (Ps. 46:10,11)

CONCLUSION

We have seen that a true interpretation of Psalm 46:10 proves it to have no relationship to prayer or meditation, but instead to war. With that knowledge, let us move on to other verses which actually do pertain to prayer to establish a scriptural foundation upon which to build our prayer life. Additionally, we must push back against the incursion of Eastern meditation practices into the church. True Christian meditation has nothing to do with "being still" or "quiet." It is always an active process. It is in fact, work.