Psalms 46
What Happens in This Chapter
This psalm says God keeps his people safe. Even if the earth shakes and mountains fall into the sea, they will not be afraid. God is in his city, and he stops wars all over the earth. Twice the song says the same line: the LORD is with us.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
1God is our safe place. God makes us strong. He always helps us 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. The earth may shake and change. The mountains may fall into the sea.
3Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
3The sea may roar and foam. The mountains may shake as the water rises. Selah.
"Selah" is a word in the song whose meaning we no longer know. It may have marked 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. Its streams bring joy to the city of God. That city is the holy home of God Most High.
5God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
5God is right there inside the city. It will not be shaken. God will help it when morning comes.
6The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
6Nations shout in anger. Kingdoms fall apart. God speaks, and the earth melts away.
7The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
7The LORD who leads all the armies of heaven is with us. The God of Jacob keeps us safe. Selah.
"The LORD of hosts" means the LORD who commands great armies. "Jacob" was the father of the family that became Israel, so "the God of Jacob" means their God.
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 how he has torn things down on 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 breaks the bow. He snaps the spear in two. He burns up the war carts in the fire.
10Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
10God says, "Be still. Know that I am God. All nations 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 leads all the armies of heaven is with us. The God of Jacob keeps us safe. Selah.
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