The lament in Psalm 46 is that the people of God are oppressed, living in a world where the nations around them are in total chaos. The situation, by human assessment, is bleak. Sound familiar? Yet, from beginning to end, this psalm is filled with confident praise. How can this be and what can we learn from it?


Often misquoted, the “be still, and know that I am God” words of Psalm 46:10 have nothing to do with slowing down to reflect in silence. Quite the opposite! The people are exulting in the unmatched sovereignty of Almighty God. They rejoice because He is in control. The shout to “Be still” in the presence of the Lord is answered the same way today as it was then: by worshiping the Great King in reverent awe.


But there is something else for us. The words of this psalm reminded the people that God was “ever present” (v. 1); “the LORD Almighty is with us” (vv. 7, 11). No matter the world’s mayhem, we can always worship and rejoice because not only is God reigning sovereignly, He is “with us” too.