Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God!"

Question:

I was once told that this verse can be repeated and shortened so that it is a calming and centering "chant," i.e. :
Be still and know that I am God
Be still and know I am
Be still and know I
Be still and know
Be still
Be!
Thank you for your help.

Comment:

This is, I think, one of the great lines of the entire Bible, sufficient unto itself in so many ways. It does—in English—lend itself beautifully to the kind of meditative process you describe.   I find it helpful to look at the first verses of Psalm 46 along with these, the final verses of this hymn of praise that recognizes the Presence of God in even the most challenging of human situations. It begins with this strong affirmation of absolute spiritual Truth:

"God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult."   The earth is indeed changing around us today. Certainly there is much to be done on the human level to rectify situations and solve immediate problems. But it's important that we take the time to affirm that we cannot solve our problems by relying on our limited human abilities. No job, for example, can be a source of prosperity and security. God is the only Source that can easily, lovingly and completely dissolve our needs.   Which leads to the familiar word from God with which this psalm concludes: "'Be still and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.' The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge."   The 'I AM' of your being—the Christ energy that is your true identity—is with you now and always. Centered in that absolute Truth, we approach any challenge without fear. Our confident request is "Show me the Good!" Because the Good—the Presence of God—is always there.

Blessings!

Rev. Ed