Devine Scripture

Psalms 46:6

What does Psalms 46:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Psalms 46:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Psalms 46:6 means

This verse sharply contrasts the impotent rage of human kingdoms with the sovereign power of God. While "nations raged" and "kingdoms were moved" by their own tumultuous efforts and conflicts, God's simple utterance was enough to bring their might to nothing. His "voice" is depicted as a force so potent that it causes the very "earth melted," signifying the utter dissolution and immediate collapse of all human opposition in the face of His divine command, demonstrating His absolute control.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered his voice, the earth melted.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered his voice, the earth melted.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The nations were angry, the kingdoms were moved; at the sound of his voice the earth became like wax.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Troubled have been nations, Moved have been kingdoms, He hath given forth with His voice, earth melteth.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

God is ascended with jubilee, and the Lord with the sound of trumpet.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

Context

Following the declaration of God's secure presence within His city in verse 5, this verse shifts back to the world outside, depicting the tumultuous actions of nations. It shows the contrast between the stability found in God's presence and the chaos of human conflict, immediately demonstrating God's supreme power to dismantle the rage of kingdoms. This action sets up the declarative statement of God's accompanying presence in the next verse.

v.5God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God will help her, and that right early.

v.6This passage

v.7Jehovah of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. [Selah

Cross references

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

  • Joel 2:11

    And Jehovah uttereth his voice before his army; for his camp is very great; for he is strong that executeth his word; for the day of Jehovah is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

  • Revelation 6:13

    and the stars of the heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig tree casteth her unripe figs when she is shaken of a great wind.

  • Amos 9:5

    For the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, ishe that toucheth the land and it melteth, and all that dwell therein shall mourn; and it shall rise up wholly like the River, and shall sink again, like the River of Egypt;

  • 2 Peter 3:10

    But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

  • Revelation 20:11

    And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

  • Habakkuk 3:10

    The mountains saw thee, and were afraid; The tempest of waters passed by; The deep uttered its voice, And lifted up its hands on high.

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