Read & explore together
God Is Our Refuge and Strength
Psalm 46 is a song of confidence in God when everything feels unstable. It speaks about danger, fear, nations, war, and God’s rule, using strong poetry to show that God is a refuge for his people.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
In this psalm, the writer speaks in the first person plural, saying “we” and “us”. The song moves from natural upheaval, to the city of God, to the nations and wars, and finishes with God’s own words calling people to be still and know that he is God.
Psalms 46:1–11Main takeaway
This psalm teaches that when the world is shaken, God remains a present refuge, helper, and ruler over all the earth.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01God is help when everything shakesThe psalm begins by naming God as “our refuge and strength” and “a very present help in trouble”.
Explanation
The psalm begins by naming God as “our refuge and strength” and “a very present help in trouble”. Because of that, the singers say they will not fear even if the earth changes, mountains are shaken into the sea, and waters roar. The language is poetic and vivid, describing extreme instability.
02God is in the city of GodThe song then speaks of a river whose streams make the city of God glad. This city is also called the holy place of the tents of the Most High.
Explanation
The song then speaks of a river whose streams make the city of God glad. This city is also called the holy place of the tents of the Most High. Its steadiness is tied to God’s presence, because the psalm says, “God is within her” and says God will help her at dawn.
03God is greater than raging nationsThe psalm turns from natural shaking to unrest among peoples and kingdoms. Nations rage and kingdoms are moved, yet when God lifts his voice, the earth melts.
Explanation
The psalm turns from natural shaking to unrest among peoples and kingdoms. Nations rage and kingdoms are moved, yet when God lifts his voice, the earth melts. The song answers this turmoil with a repeated declaration: “Yahweh of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge.”
04Be still before the God who ends warsThe final part invites people to look at Yahweh’s works on the earth. He makes wars cease, breaks the bow, shatters the spear, and burns the chariots.
Explanation
The final part invites people to look at Yahweh’s works on the earth. He makes wars cease, breaks the bow, shatters the spear, and burns the chariots. Then God speaks directly: “Be still, and know that I am God.” The psalm ends with his exaltation and the repeated refrain about refuge.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What reasons does the psalm give for not being afraid when the earth changes?
Look for the opening description of God and connect it with the response, “Therefore we won’t be afraid.”
02How does the psalm describe safety in the city of God?
Notice what brings gladness and stability there, and especially who is present within the city.
03What does “Be still, and know that I am God” mean in the flow of this psalm?
Read it alongside the verses about wars, broken weapons, and God being exalted among the nations.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 46:1–11
1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2Therefore we won’t be afraid, though the earth changes, though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas;
3though its waters roar and are troubled, though the mountains tremble with their swelling. Selah.
4There is a river, the streams of which make the city of God glad, the holy place of the tents of the Most High.
5God is within her. She shall not be moved. God will help her at dawn.
6The nations raged. The kingdoms were moved. He lifted his voice and the earth melted.
7Yahweh of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8Come, see Yahweh’s works, what desolations he has made on the earth.
9He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear. He burns the chariots in the fire.
10“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted on the earth.”
11Yahweh of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.