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Meaning, commentary and cross references

Psalms 46:10

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalms 46:10 (ESV)

In other translations

  • KJV · King James Version

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

  • NIV · New International Version

    He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

  • WEB · World English Bible

    “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.”

What does Psalms 46:10 mean?

John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Psalms 46:10

Be still, and know that I am God,.... These words are thought by some to be spoken by the Lord to the nations of the world, to "cease from war", as the Targum renders the words; or from going up any more against Jerusalem, as Jarchi interprets them; and that they were spoken to them before the breaking of their bows, &c. as Aben Ezra observes; or that they are an exhortation to them to cease from their evil works, and know that the Lord is God, and has power to raise up and to make low; which, is Kimchi's sense of the words: but they are rather a continuation of the church's address to the fearful among them, as before to behold the works of the Lord, so here to hearken to what he says, as…

John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).

Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Psalms 46:6–11

For his own glory (Psa 46:10): Be still, and know that I am God. (1.) Let his enemies be still, and threaten no more, but know it, to their terror, that he is God, one infinitely above them, and that will certainly be too hard for them; let them rage no more, for it is all in vain: he that sits in heaven, laughs at them; and, in spite of all their impotent malice against his name and honour, he will be exalted among the heathen and not merely among his own people, he will be exalted in the earth and not merely in the church. Men will set up themselves, will have their own way and do their own will; but let them know that God will be exalted, he will have his way will do his own will, will…

Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).

John Calvin · Commentaries, on Psalms 46:6–11

Be still [181] and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth [182] 11. Jehovah of armies is with us: the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah. 6 The peoples raged Since the Church of God is never without enemies, and these very powerful, and such as consequently fight against her with cruel and unbridled fury, the prophet now confirms from experience the doctrine which he had advanced concerning the impregnable character of the divine protection. He then deduces from it this general ground of consolation, That it belongs continually to God to restrain and quell all commotions, and that his arm is strong enough to break all the efforts of the…

John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).

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Context: Psalms 46:7–11 (WEB)

7The LORD of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 8Come, see the LORD’s works, what desolations he has made in the earth. 9He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear. He burns the chariots in the fire. 10“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.” 11The LORD of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Read all of Psalms 46

Cross references

  • Psalms 100:3
  • Habakkuk 2:20

    But the LORD is in his holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before him!”

  • Ezekiel 38:23

    I will magnify myself and sanctify myself, and I will make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”’

  • Zechariah 2:13

    Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD; for he has roused himself from his holy habitation!”

  • Psalms 83:18
  • Isaiah 2:17

    The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the arrogance of men shall be brought low; and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

  • Psalms 57:5
  • 1 Chronicles 29:11

    Yours, LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty! For all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.

Key words

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