What does it mean to "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10)?

from the old testament

• Contextually, Psalm 46 is largely about God’s superiority over the nations, where “nations” refer to Judah’s (and thus God’s) enemies. He is their strength and hiding place (v 1); therefore, they “will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling” (v 2–3).
• Thus, the Psalm is about Judah’s firm hope that God will defeat her enemies. The question is what Psalm 46:10 means when it says, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Roughly half of modern Bibles translate it similarly to the ESV translation. However, the other half of them translate it closer to: “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (NASB).
• The Hebrew word means “to put an end to” or “to stop.” It’s debated whether the meaning is to “be still” (put an end to your worry) or to “cease striving” (put an end to your fighting).
• Supporting the first view is that the first third of the Psalm is largely focused on Judah and that their confidence is not in themselves but in God, since He is their protector and strength (v 1). If this is the correct context, then Psalm 46:10 is a call for them to stop worrying about the nations because, “though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea” (v 2), God will be exalted.
• Supporting the second view is the fact that Psalm 46:10 appears at the end of the section on the nations. They “rage,” yet they “totter,” because God melts them (v 6). God “makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire” (v 9). If it speaks to the nations raging without hope against God, then it’s a call for them to “cease striving” by laying down their arms and surrendering to God.
• While determining the author’s intended meaning is difficult, given that Psalm 46:10 is within the section about the nations and that Judah is already expressing firm confidence throughout the Psalm, it’s probable that the second view is what is meant.
• Regardless, both applications are possible, regardless of the author’s original meaning because both mean that “God is God” and does all that He pleases (Psalm 115:3). For God’s people, this means they can trust Him in difficult times whereas God’s enemies are fair warned to “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way” (Psalm 2:12a).

from the new testament

• God today is the same God of the Old Testament (Hebrews 13:8; cf. Malachi 3:6). Therefore, both applications from Psalm 46:10 are true today. God’s wrath is upon all who refuse to obey Jesus (John 3:36). They are like the nations fighting against Judah. God will ultimately destroy them. Conversely, God has sent His Son so that all who are reconciled to God through Him are at peace with God (Romans 5:1) and no longer have to fear God’s enemies (Romans 8:38–39).

implications for today

God hates sin, yet people sin all the time and aren’t immediately punished. This contrast between what Scripture says and what we observe in our everyday lives tempts us into thinking that God either doesn’t care or won’t (or can’t) stop us. For those trying to obey Him, it’s like driving 65 on a freeway when someone races past at 90. There are no police in sight, the driver got away with it, and it seems so unfair. Indeed, we might be tempted to speed up a little bit too. If they can do it, why can’t we?

However, Psalm 46 reminds us that God isn’t letting His enemies get away with it. Unlike the highway patrol, which misses speeders, God both knows everything (Psalm 139:1–4) and is everywhere at all times (Psalm 139:7–10). He sees everything and remembers everything. The psalmist reminded us that, in the past, God “has brought desolations on the earth” and “makes wars cease to the end of the earth” (Psalm 46:8–9a). Implication? God “will be exalted among the nations” (v 9b) because He is sovereign and His rule is unstoppable.

For the believer, this means that even when the world seems to press in on us, unfairly promoting evil and condemning us for not doing the same, we can trust that God sees and will deal soundly with them.

For the rest, this Psalm and all of Scripture provide many warnings that God is God and holds each person accountable (cf. Revelation 20:12). Don’t count His mercy as disinterest. God is delaying judgment to give people time to repent (2 Peter 3:9). Please take advantage of God’s mercy by repenting of your sin and trusting in Jesus’ saving work while there’s still time!