“Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10
This often-quoted verse comes in a specific context: God's omnipotent power to protect the nation of Israel from the hostile forces which attack her (Psalm 46:1–7). The phrase "be still" uses a Hebrew term which can be rendered as "relax," "let go," or "stop." It implies an act of surrender—a release of striving and hostility. Prior verses pointed out that attempting to fight against God is a losing proposition (Psalm 46:8–9). Those who rage against God (Psalm 2:1) would be better off letting go of frantic anger and accepting His truth instead.In literal terms, this verse does not mean to "sit quietly and listen for God." That interpretation is not entirely flawed, of course. Where God's enemies need to "be still" by ending their tantrums against Him, God's people can "be still" by faithfully trusting God to be their source of strength (Exodus 14:13).That trust and submission is key to what it means to "know that I am God." One might imagine a strong, protective parent telling a child, "don't be afraid, keep in mind how I've kept you safe in the past."