Word Study Wednesday: Psalm 46:10

Psalm 46:10: "Be still and know that I am God." (NIV)

Still (7503 Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, Hebrew): raphah (raw-faw): To slacken (in many applications, literally or figuratively): - cease, consume, idle, let alone, stay, be still, be slothful (just a few of the words associated with raphah).

Know (3045): yada (yaw-dah); to know, acknowledge, acquainted with, be aware, consider, understand

God (430): Elohiym (el-o-heem): gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God.

My Take
I know this verse seems simple, but I feel it is relevant. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have a lot of thoughts, or noise, going through my head right now. Add to that the worries of the world and everything seems chaotic. This verse centers me. It reminds me to shut out the world and to focus on Elohiym.

I need to remember that God created the world and He is still in control of the world. Nothing is in chaos. It just feels like it because I'm not focusing on Him, but rather concentrating on issues that I'm trying to solve myself. I need to remember that He is God - holy, gracious, loving, merciful, creator, and so many more things.

One thing I noticed - the word "still" is the same Hebrew word used for "slack." In last week's Word Study, "slack" had a negative reference. In this case though, God is calling us to be still or slack. It is as if He's saying it's okay to be idle now and to center ourselves on Him, to rest in Him.

I hope this helps you to rest in Him and to be still. It is easy to let life's issues take over our thoughts and actions. Take time today and know that He is God.