Fathers

Psalms 46

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God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He 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. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

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What the Fathers say

Psalms 46:10

Eastern Fathers

Desert Fathers

Poemen said, 'Whatever hardship comes upon you, it can be overcome by silence.'

The Desert Fathers, Sayings of the Early Christian Monks ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

What then follows? "Be still." To what purpose? "And see that I am God" [Psalm 46:10]. That is, Not ye, but I am God. I created, I create anew; I formed, I form anew; I made, I make anew. If you could not make yourself, how can you make yourself anew? This sees not the contentious tumult of man's soul; to which contentious tumult is it said, "Be still." That is, restrain your souls from contradiction. Do not argue, and, as it were, arm against God. Else yet live your arms, not yet burned up with fire. …

Exposition on Psalm 46 ↗

Bede

When the labors and hardships of this age come to an end, and our debts, [that is] all our faults, have been forgiven, the entire people of the elect will rejoice eternally in the sole contemplation of the divine vision, and that most longed-for command of our Lord and Savior will be fulfilled: "Be still and see that I am God."

Homilies on the Gospels 2:17 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

"Be still and see." Here is the end of peace. The end of temporal peace, according to the Philosopher, is the contemplation of truth. Hence peace is the useful end of the active life, and peace is ordered to contemplation. And according to Augustine, Christ procured the peace of the Roman Empire so that the apostles might travel throughout the whole world. …

Exposition on the Psalms of David ↗