Psalm 46 – Be Still; He Is God
The verse for our Women’s Retreat this weekend was Psalm 46:10, one of my favorites. So I decided to post Psalm 46 for Psalm Sunday.
This verse often comes to mind when I am trying to pray but can’t seem to keep my mind focused. It’s a reminder from God to still not only my body, but my mind as well, and remember He is in control and He will be exalted in all the earth.
Our retreat was wonderful! We had two session on Friday night, along with a potluck salad dinner. I met some women I didn’t know and learned more about some I did. We started Saturday morning with a little bit of chaos as the first session leader was late so a last-minute switch in the schedule was made so that Session 4 preceded Session 3. But we all agreed that this was God’s doing, because Session 4 was the session in which we were supposed to close our eyes and listen to the sound of waves at the ocean (provided on a CD in the retreat pack). We were to meditate on our Psalm 46:10 verse and try to be still and know that He is God. It really was the perfect way to start the day!
As I copied and pasted this Psalm I noticed that the word “Selah” appears 3 times in the Psalm. The meaning of this Hebrew term is unknown for sure, but based on how it is placed in the Psalms, especially those that have notations at the beginning for the director of music, is seems to indicate a pause or interlude in the music. That is what we learned to take this weekend, pauses or interludes in our life to be still and know that He is God.
Psalm 46
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth. A song.
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah
8 Come and see what the LORD has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah
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So many times in our busy life, when we actually stop and take time out for meditation on the goodness of God, we later find that the time “lost” was really gain, because “things go better” and we are able to achieve so much more in a shorter time.
What a great God we serve!
So very true! Time spent alone with God is never lost or wasted time, and actually seems to multiply the available productive time for the remainder of the day. 🙂 Peace, Linda
LInda, this Psalm was so perfect with your other posts . It was like you gave us a little blog retreat. 🙂 And I loved the other comments too. The Psalms always seem to say something to me that I need to hear. Thank you and God bless you as you still yourself before Him each day!
Deb, I wish you could have been at our retreat! I suppose we may have to wait until we go home to heaven to enjoy a retreat together, but until then I so appreciate your friendship. Our retreat was a lot about friendships as well as our relationship with God. There was less being still than one might expect! A lot of talking, which is right up my alley. 😉 Peace, Linda
” The meaning of this Hebrew term is unknown for sure, but based on how it is placed in the Psalms, especially those that have notations at the beginning for the director of music, is seems to indicate a pause or interlude in the music.”
I once heard it meant “Pause and reflect on that.” I am so glad you had a good time. It is a wonderful thing to be still. There is another Psalm I like to meditate on when I am trying to quiet myself and also a song.
Psalm 131
1Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.
2Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.
3Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever.
Blessings,
Theresa
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeHjYK2Z1YI&w=425&h=349%5D
Theresa, Thank you so much for the link to that song. It is beautiful, just like you! It would have been more calming if I didn’t have the sound of video games in the background from my sons room. 😉 I’ll have to listen again later when it’s quiet around here. Peace, Linda
My life is full of clamour. The only silence I get is when I’m on my own – or in the very early hours of the morning. It was different before my DH retired, I could find peace at any time of the day. Now I treasure the moments. The lack of ‘pauses’ is not of my making, but the precious Lord knows and makes those times so very special.
Stop
Enthrone the
Lord
Amen
Hallelujah
Wow! I have never heard Selah used that way. I love it. Thank you for adding it in the comment. Peace, Linda