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The lesson scripture from yesterday’s post ended with Moses telling the people of Israel to “keep still”, the LORD would fight for them.  In today’s lesson scripture we are told, “[B]e still, and know that I am God!”  What does it mean to be (or keep) “still”?  Well, let’s start by noting that two different Hebrew words are being used here.  In Exodus 14:14 the word used is charash, which is generally translated as meaning to relax or go limp.  In the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), we see this translated as “keep still”.  In the King James version, the translation is “hold your peace”.  In the Contemporary English Version (CEV) it is translated as “you don’t have to do a thing”, while in the New American Standard Bible (NASB) it is translated “keep silent”.

In Psalm 46:10, the NRSV translates the Hebrew word raphah as “be still”.  However, in the NASB it is rendered “cease striving”; the CEV deciphers the Hebrew as “calm down”; the Holman Christian Standard Bible decodes the same word as “stop [your fighting]“; while the New Century Version transcribes the word into the phrase “be quiet”.

Whew!  If you clicked on all of the links above, then think about how long it took me to put them into this post.  The point of using all these different translations (and of using so many different words for “translate”) is to show how different translations – while not changing the meaning of a passage – can certainly affect the way the message is presented . . . the way the language feels.

So, to get back to the original question: what is being said in these two verses from Exodus and the Psalms?  I think we can agree that it doesn’t mean we should “do nothing”.  One suggestion is that in both instances we’re being told to let God take over, to surrender our will to his, to recognize that God is supreme and we are a part of his beloved creation – and that he will defend us – that he is a refuge.  As you read the Psalm and the passage from Exodus, how do you understand the meaning of “being/keeping still”?

Before I forget, here’s today’s lesson scripture (using the NRSV):

To the leader. Of the Korahites. According to Alamoth. A Song.

1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns.
6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
10 ”Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Now – if you have time, read Luke 12:22-34 – read the verses in several different translations – and ponder the meaning of the words “do not worry” in the context of what we’re talking about here today.  Do you see any relationship?

Bonus Question: We could have focused on another couple of words in today’s lesson scripture: refuge (Hebrew “machseh“) and stronghold (Hebrew “misgab“).  I used the NASB as an example of a translation that renders these two words differently; the NRSV translates both words in the context of Psalm 46 as “refuge”.  And now – to see if anyone is reading to the end of this post – what other word has been used (in the place of refuge or stronghold) by what other notable person in what hymn (name and UMH number, please) that was inspired by this Psalm?