Devine Scripture

Psalms 46:8

What does Psalms 46:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Psalms 46:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Psalms 46:8 means

This verse issues an invitation to "Come, behold the works of Jehovah," encouraging observers to witness God's awe-inspiring interventions. The focus here is on the "desolations he hath made in the earth," referring not to random destruction but to His decisive judgments against the enemies of His people. These acts underscore His power to bring low the proud and to dismantle human arrogance, demonstrating His sovereign control over history and His ultimate authority to bring about His purposes, often through what appears as devastation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Come, behold the works of Jehovah, What desolations he hath made in the earth.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Come, behold the works of Jehovah, What desolations he hath made in the earth.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Come, see the works of the Lord, the destruction which he has made in the earth.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Come ye, see the works of Jehovah, Who hath done astonishing things in the earth,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For God is the king of all the earth: sing ye wisely.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Come, behold the works of Jehovah, what desolations he hath made in the earth:

Context

Following the reaffirmation of God's presence as refuge in verse 7, this verse shifts the focus outwards, inviting the reader to witness God's powerful actions in the world. It provides a concrete demonstration of how "Jehovah of hosts" acts, specifically by showcasing His destructive power against the forces that threaten His people. This then leads directly into the specific ways God brings peace through desolation in the following verse.

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

v.8This passage

v.9He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; He burneth the chariots in the fire.

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 66:5

    Come, and see the works of God; He is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.

  • Joshua 11:20

    For it was of Jehovah to harden their hearts, to come against Israel in battle, that he might utterly destroy them, that they might have no favor, but that he might destroy them, as Jehovah commanded Moses.

  • Numbers 23:23

    Surely there is no enchantment with Jacob; Neither is there any divination with Israel: Now shall it be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!

  • Exodus 10:7

    And Pharaoh’s servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve Jehovah their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?

  • Isaiah 34:2

    For Jehovah hath indignation against all the nations, and wrath against all their host: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.

  • Isaiah 61:4

    And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.

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