Psalms
Chapter 46
This psalm says God is a safe place and a real help when trouble comes. Even if the earth shakes and the mountains fall into the sea, God's people will not be afraid. God is in his city, he stops wars across the earth, and he tells everyone to be still and know who he is.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
1God is our safe place and our strength. He is always there to help when trouble comes.
2Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
2So we will not be afraid, even if the earth breaks apart and the mountains slide into the sea.
3Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
3We will not be afraid even if the sea roars and foams, and the mountains shake from the crashing waves. Selah.
"Selah" is a Hebrew word that appears in many psalms. Nobody is certain what it meant, but it may have been a musical mark, like a pause or a change in the music.
4There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
4There is a river, and its streams bring joy to the city of God. That city is the holy home of the Most High.
5God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
5God is inside that city, so it will not be shaken. God will help it as soon as morning comes.
"That right early" in the King James Version means at daybreak, not simply soon.
6The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
6The nations roared in anger, and kingdoms fell. God spoke, and the earth melted away.
7The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
7The LORD who commands the armies of heaven is with us. The God of Jacob is our safe place. Selah.
"The LORD of hosts" means the LORD who commands armies. "Jacob" is another name for Israel, so "the God of Jacob" means the God of the people of Israel.
8Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
8Come and look at what the LORD has done. See the ruins he has left across the earth.
9He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
9He stops wars everywhere on earth. He snaps the bow, breaks the spear, and burns the war carts with fire.
The King James Version says "chariot." These were wooden war carts pulled by horses, used in battle long ago.
10Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
10God says, "Stop your struggling and know that I am God. Every nation will honor me. The whole earth will honor me."
11The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
11The LORD who commands the armies of heaven is with us. The God of Jacob is our safe place. Selah.
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