Someone is claiming that the original Hebrew root of "be still" (Ps 46:10) doesn't mean be quiet, but rather to let go. Where do you come in on this? — T. J.
As I understand the passage, the stillness is more like peace (cessation from war) than peace (personal calmness). See my previous thoughts in Q&A 1470. That is, it has national application—at least as much as individual application. My response in this post is quite technical.
Let's have a look at the ancient translations:
- HEBREW Psalm 46:11 (BHS/WIVU): הַרְפּ֣וּ וּ֭דְעוּ כִּי־אָנֹכִ֣י אֱלֹהִ֑ים. The word הַרְפּ֣וּ means to become limp, cease, according to Logos. The scholarly lexicon BDB gives the root meaning as "sink, relax," and the meaning in this verse as "do nothing, be quiet." So it seems the claim is overstated, and mistakenly takes the qal meaning of the verb rāphāh for the hiph'il (causative).
- GREEK Psalm 45:11 (LXX)—the Greek chapter numbering system differs slightly from the Hebrew. σχολάσατε καὶ γνῶτε ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ θεός. The meaning is to be unoccupied, in the LXX.
- LATIN 45:11: Vacate, et videte quoniam ego sum Deus. Vacate means to be empty; to be at rest; to devote oneself so (as in scholastic).
Having said all this, letting go is still a good idea—even if it isn't the actual meaning of the passage in question. I don't know who said it, but there is certainly truth in the saying, "Let go and let God."
