be still

God commands His servant, David, to "Be still and know" that He is God. I've been paying more and more attention to the fact that in this life, we spend so little time being still and silent. We try to "know" without being still. It is so often because of our noisy busyness that we set "knowing God" aside.

This song is a conversation between a man, who is trying to preach to Himself the faithfulness and character of God, and God, who is responding by telling the man to be still-to be quiet and listen. At the end of the song, the man realizes that the reason He does not "know" God is no fault of God's: it is his own noise and ignorance.

Be still my soul, be quiet and wait
In silence rest, for God shall save
You troubled heart, why do you weep
Do you know God, do you know peace

Be still and know that I am God
Be quiet for hope is not lost
Be silent for still I hear your cry
Be still for I am on your side

Amid the waves, amid the flood
Your hand is stretched and Your promise good
Lord, I believe, but help my unbelief
And let me hear You-hear You speak

Why do I worry? Why do I fear?
'Cause I am so noisy that I cannot hear
Your voice in the whisper: "Do not be afraid
For I am still faithful and mighty to save"