Be Still, My Soul, Be Still
(Ken Reyes)
Peace in the Presence of God
LYRICS (Click to minimize)
Be still, my soul, be still, and do not fear
For God, your refuge and your help, is here
Although the mountains fall and waters roar
Your God will be your strength forevermore
Be still, my soul, be still, and rest in him
Behold the sunrise glow, though night is dim
His voice can calm the nations and their wars
His river can bring solace by its shores
Be still, my soul, be still, and find your peace
He makes the earth to melt and wars to cease
The Lord Almighty reigns o’er fire and flood
Be still, my soul, be still, for He is God
Songwriter: Ken Wyeth Reyes
© 2021 Ken Reyes
CCLI License #632898
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah4 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 her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations 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 chariots with fire.
10 “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 of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Psalm 46 (ESV)
What does it mean to be still before God? This is a very often-repeated sentiment in Christian circles, but one that we should not allow to become a sappy cliché. It is a very profound truth that we cling on to in all seasons of life!
To be still before God is possible because of how intimate our God is. Like a tiny child cradled in His parent’s arms, so are we before God. God is an ever present help, meaning He is never far away. Wherever we are, and whatever troubles we face, He is present with us. After all, He is omnipresent. And we often, intentionally or otherwise, talk of his omnipresence like a gas that fills every crevice of the world. But God’s omnipresence does not indicate a strange, material filling of space. It means that He is ever-near to us. Wherever we are and wherever we go, He is there before us and with us. He is the Father in whose arms we find rest. His is the city in which we find refuge. He is the God in whom we find peace.
At the same time, to be still before God is possible because of how transcendent our God is. His intimacy does not negate His power, nor does His love diminish His strength. He is, quite literally, the Almighty. With one word, He causes the world to melt and wars to cease. Above all our earthly wars, politics, racism, pain and sin, HE is still God. He is the sovereign before whom all human kings kneel. He is the warrior before whom all angels tremble. He is the Creator before whom all creatures bow.
It is in this wonderful mystery of God’s intimate transcendence that we find our peace. A loving but weak God is no source of protection. A powerful but distant God is no source of rest. Praise the God who is eternally and perfectly, love and power! Even if we cannot comprehend this, we can trust in it. And in childlike faith, we find refuge in Him.
To Him be all praise, for He will be exalted above the nations. Let us be still and let God be God.