Psalm 46 Catholic: Be Still and Know That I Am God, Meaning

Psalm 46, “God is our refuge and strength,” is a psalm of unshakable confidence: even if the earth shakes and the mountains fall into the sea, we will not fear. It contains the famous words “Be still and see that I am God.” In the Douay-Rheims and other older Catholic Bibles it is numbered Psalm 45. Below is the full Catholic text, what the psalm means, how the Church uses it, and a prayer.

Psalm 46 in the Douay-Rheims Bible

Our God is our refuge and strength: a helper in troubles, which have found us exceedingly.
Therefore we will not fear, when the earth shall be troubled; and the mountains shall be removed into the heart of the sea.
Their waters roared and were troubled: the mountains were troubled with his strength.
The stream of the river maketh the city of God joyful: the most High hath sanctified his own tabernacle.
God is in the midst thereof, it shall not be moved: God will help it in the morning early.
Nations were troubled, and kingdoms were bowed down: he uttered his voice, the earth trembled.
The Lord of armies is with us: the God of Jacob is our protector.
Come and behold ye the works of the Lord: what wonders he hath done upon earth,
Making wars to cease even to the end of the earth. He shall destroy the bow, and break the weapons: and the shield he shall burn in the fire.
Be still and see that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth.
The Lord of armies is with us: the God of Jacob is our protector.

Psalm 46 or Psalm 45?

The Douay-Rheims Bible follows the numbering of the Latin Vulgate and the Greek Septuagint, while most modern Bibles follow the Hebrew. So the Douay’s Psalm 45 is Psalm 46 in the New American Bible and other modern translations. In Latin the psalm begins Deus noster refugium et virtus. See how many psalms are there?

What the psalm means

Refuge and strength: God is our help in every trouble.
No fear in chaos: earthquake, storm and war cannot destroy those who trust in God.
The river that makes glad the city of God: the presence of God in his holy city, a figure of the Church and of heaven.
God ends wars: he breaks the bow and the weapons of war.
“Be still and see that I am God”: stop striving and fearing, and recognize that God is God.

How the Church uses Psalm 46

On the feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica (November 9) and dedications of churches, because of “the city of God.”
In times of crisis, disaster and war. See the Catholic prayer for peace.
In contemplative prayer, using “Be still” as an invitation to silence.

A prayer with Psalm 46

Written for this page:

Lord, you are my refuge and my strength.
When everything around me shakes, keep me steady.
Quiet my heart, so that I may be still
and know that you are God. Amen.

Frequently asked questions

Where is “Be still and know that I am God”?

Psalm 46:11 in the New American Bible (46:10 in some Bibles, and 45:11 in the Douay-Rheims: “Be still and see that I am God”).

What does “Be still” mean?

To stop striving and fearing, and to rest in trust before God.

Why are psalm numbers different in Catholic Bibles?

Older Catholic Bibles such as the Douay-Rheims follow the Greek and Latin numbering; modern Bibles follow the Hebrew, which is usually one number higher.

More psalms and prayers

Texts and sources

Scripture: Psalm 45 (46), Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
The prayer was written for this page.