Psalm 46: Letting Go and Being Still

READING THE BOOK OF PSALMS

PART XXXIV

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Psalm 46

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The vivid poetry of Psalm 46 invokes creation mythology.  Poetically, even if creation starts coming undone, God will remain “our refuge and our stronghold.”  YHWH, the warrior God, will even end wars forever.  God is sovereign.

I focus this post on verse 11 (Jewish versification).  That verse, in TANAKH:  The Holy Scriptures, reads:

“Desist!  Realize that I am God!

I dominate the nations,

I dominate the earth.”

Artur Weiser’s translation has God commanding the nations to “leave off” from waging war.

Mitchell J. Dahood’s translation has God ordering the nations to “Be still.”  A note explains that this means to “do nothing” and to cease entering into military alliances with other nations, for God controls history.  Dahood links this verse to Isaiah 30:15:

By sitting still and keeping quiet you will be saved.

Robert Alter’s translation has God commanding the nations to “let go.”  The literal meaning in the Hebrew text is to relax one’s grip–in this case, to unclench the warrior’s fist.

I do not mistake Psalm 46 as containing a commentary on NATO or any other military alliance that has prevented wars for decades.  No, I read Psalm 46 in historical and Biblical context.  I recall that many military alliances were with untrustworthy partners, and ended badly, predictably.

Human beings are a species of control freaks.  Some of us are context to avoid that trap.  However, many of us fell into that trap a long time ago.  Many control freaks may not realize that they have fallen into a trap.  As more than one religion teaches, human control is a delusion and an illusion.  Yet it makes many people feel comfortable and boosts a host of egos.

I confess that I have struggled with this delusion and illusion.  I admit that the struggle continues.  So, O reader, I do not present myself as a spiritual giant.  I am a pilgrim on a path.

Sometimes we–both collectively and individually–must act.  Our actions and inactions have consequences, whether positive or negative.  Sometimes inaction constitutes disobedience to God.  On other occasions, a particular action is sinful.  May we–both collectively and individually–act properly and faithfully when action is necessary.  Likewise, may we do nothing when that is proper.  In all circumstances, may we contextualize our actions and inactions within the sovereignty of God.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

JANUARY 8, 2023 COMMON ERA

THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE EPIPHANY:  THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD, YEAR A

THE FEAST OF SAINT THORFINN OF HAMAR, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP

THE FEAST OF A. J. MUSTE, DUTCH-AMERICAN MINISTER, LABOR ACTIVIST, AND PACIFIST

THE FEAST OF ARCANGELO CORELLI, ITALIAN ROMAN CATHOLIC MUSICIAN AND COMPOSER

THE FEAST OF NICOLAUS COPERNICUS AND GALILEO GALILEI, SCIENTISTS

THE FEAST OF HARRIET BEDELL, EPISCOPAL DEACONESS AND MISSIONARY

THE FEAST OF SAINTS PEPIN OF LANDEN AND ITTA OF METZ, THEIR RELATIONS, AND SAINTS AMAND, AUSTREGISILUS, AND SULPICIUS II OF BOURGES, FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS ACROSS GENERATIONAL LINES

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