Devine Scripture

Psalms 46:3

What does Psalms 46:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Psalms 46:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Psalms 46:3 means

This verse continues the vivid imagery of catastrophic natural disasters, picturing turbulent waters roaring and mountains trembling at their swelling power. It further intensifies the scenarios of chaos introduced in the previous verse, emphasizing the sheer scale of the disruption. The phrase "Selah" here serves as a musical or contemplative interlude, inviting reflection on the profound contrast between such overwhelming natural forces and the steadfast security found in God as refuge, prompting a pause to consider the weight of these truths.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, Though the mountains tremble with the swelling thereof. [Selah

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, Though the mountains tremble with the swelling thereof. [Selah

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Though its waters are sounding and troubled, and though the mountains are shaking with their violent motion. (Selah.)

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Roar--troubled are its waters, Mountains they shake in its pride. Selah.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For the Lord is high, terrible: a great king over all the earth.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Though the waters thereof roar [and] foam, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

Context

This verse amplifies the imagery of chaotic natural forces introduced in verse 2, specifically focusing on the powerful and destructive nature of roaring waters and trembling mountains. It continues to build the picture of an unstable world, against which God's stability will be contrasted. The "Selah" mark here signals a pause, inviting the reader to meditate on the dramatic scenes of earth's upheaval before the psalm shifts to the calming presence of God in Zion.

v.2Therefore will we not fear, though the earth do change, And though the mountains be shaken into the heart of the seas;

v.3This passage

v.4There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Job 38:11

    And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further; And here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

  • Jeremiah 5:22

    Fear ye not me? saith Jehovah: will ye not tremble at my presence, who have placed the sand for the bound of the sea, by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it? and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it.

  • Isaiah 17:12

    Ah, the uproar of many peoples, that roar like the roaring of the seas; and the rushing of nations, that rush like the rushing of mighty waters!

  • Psalms 18:4

    The cords of death compassed me, And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid.

  • Jeremiah 4:24

    I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved to and fro.

  • Judges 5:4

    Jehovah, when thou wentest forth out of Seir, When thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, The earth trembled, the heavens also dropped, Yea, the clouds dropped water.

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