Be Still (Raphah) and Know That I Am God

The Depth of the Hebrew Word Raphah

Be still, and know that I am God; 

I will be exalted among the nations,

 I will be exalted in the earth.

Psalm 46:10

Be Still and Know: The Depth of the Hebrew Word Raphah

The Hebrew word raphah (רָפָה - pronunciation: rah-FAH) appears multiple times in the Old Testament, often conveying the idea of stillness, letting go, or ceasing from striving. Its depth of meaning carries powerful theological implications, particularly in understanding God’s call to trust Him rather than relying on human effort. One of the most well-known verses featuring raphah is:

“Be still (raphah) and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

—Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

This verse is often interpreted as an encouragement to rest in God’s sovereignty. However, raphah has nuances that extend beyond mere stillness—it also conveys surrender, loosening one’s grip, and even a call to cease striving. In exploring this word, we will examine its significance through biblical contexts, scholarly insights, and theological reflections.

1. The Meaning of Raphah

The root meaning of raphah includes concepts such as “to slacken,” “to let drop,” “to let go,” or “to become weak.” It is used in various contexts throughout Scripture, from describing physical relaxation to urging a posture of spiritual trust.

Key Biblical Uses of Raphah

1. Ceasing from Striving

• Psalm 46:10—God calls His people to let go of their anxious striving and recognize His ultimate authority over the nations.

2. Weakness and Helplessness

• Deuteronomy 4:31—“For the Lord your God is a merciful God; He will not raphah (abandon) you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors.” (Raphah here suggests abandonment or neglect, affirming that God will never forsake His people.)

3. Hands Growing Weak

• Joshua 18:3—“So Joshua said to the Israelites: ‘How long will you raphah (delay) before going in to take possession of the land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given you?’” (Here, raphah carries the idea of inaction or hesitation.)

4. Encouragement in Weakness

• 2 Chronicles 15:7—“But as for you, be strong and do not raphah (lose courage), for your work will be rewarded.” (Raphah conveys discouragement or faintheartedness.)

2. Theological Reflections on Raphah

The call to raphah—to cease striving and trust—is not about passivity but about a shift in dependence from human strength to divine sovereignty.

Walter Brueggemann on Psalm 46:10

Brueggemann, in his reflections on the Psalms, emphasizes that raphah is not merely about quietness but about a decisive act of yielding to God’s rule:

“The call to ‘be still’ is a summons to relinquish control, to trust that Yahweh’s sovereignty extends beyond human anxiety and turmoil. It is not a pious withdrawal, but an active letting-go that acknowledges God’s reign over history.”

—Walter Brueggemann, The Message of the Psalms

Patrick Miller on Stillness as Trust

Patrick Miller echoes this sentiment, noting that Psalm 46:10 is a declaration of God’s victory:

“It is not simply an invitation to inner tranquility but a command to recognize who truly governs history. The nations rage, but Yahweh speaks, and His will stands firm.”

—Patrick D. Miller, Interpreting the Psalms

Alexander Maclaren on Surrender

Maclaren points out that raphah is not passive resignation but an active response of faith:

“To ‘be still’ does not mean to be idle, but to hush our tumult, to cease our murmuring, and to yield ourselves in trust to the hands of God.”

—Alexander Maclaren, Expositions of Holy Scripture

Matthew Henry on Letting Go

Matthew Henry’s commentary on Psalm 46:10 underscores raphah as an exhortation to faith:

“Let go of your fears, cease your fightings, and acknowledge that God is above all. He needs not our anxious striving to accomplish His purposes, and our quiet confidence in Him glorifies His sovereignty.”

—Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible

3. Application: Learning to Raphah

In a world that prizes self-sufficiency, raphah invites us to let go of our need to control outcomes. This is particularly relevant in three key areas:

1. Raphah in Times of Crisis

Psalm 46 is set against a backdrop of chaos—earthquakes, wars, and natural disasters. In such moments, raphah is a call to surrender control to God rather than being paralyzed by fear.

2. Raphah in Decision-Making

Like the Israelites hesitating to take the Promised Land (Joshua 18:3), we sometimes delay obedience out of fear. Raphah reminds us that faith is about trusting God’s direction rather than clinging to our uncertainties.

3. Raphah in Prayer and Worship

To truly raphah is to embrace the words of Psalm 37:7—“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” This posture in prayer acknowledges that God is already at work beyond what we can see.

Conclusion: The Power of Letting Go

The Hebrew word raphah calls us to a deep and active trust in God. It is not about passivity but about releasing control and recognizing God’s supremacy. As Brueggemann, Miller, Maclaren, and Matthew Henry have noted, Psalm 46:10 is not merely a comfort—it is a command. The world may be in turmoil, but God is exalted, and His purposes will stand.

So, today, where do you need to raphah? What anxieties, fears, or striving must you release to God? In letting go, we do not fall—we rest in the One who holds all things together.

“Be still (raphah) and know that I am God.”