Sing a Psalm While Mountains Tremble
The songs of God will stand forever.
Until Easter, each midweek post will be a response to one of the psalms for the day on the prayer calendar. Today, it’s Psalm 46.
If you don’t already have that calendar, you can download it below. If you’d like a primer on how to pray in response to a psalm, take a look at this post.
Memorizing Scripture is among the most powerful habits a Christian can form—and it’s not as hard as you think.
For centuries, psalm singing was part of Sunday morning worship. In fact, the practice was widespread all the way up until the Civil War era.
As a result, believers could effortlessly sing God’s word to themselves throughout the week. Many who grew up in church couldn’t recall a time when they were unable to sing psalms from memory.
Over time, of course, most churches abandoned psalm singing. Hymns now dominate. These can also teach biblical truth, but the church’s power dwindles when few can recall entire passages of Scripture.
Having God’s word written on your heart produces many benefits. In conversation, you’ll find the Spirit bringing a timely verse to mind, drawing it out from your inspired reservoir. When lies disrupt your thoughts, you can immediately counter with truth.
And when crisis arrives unexpectedly, you can respond like this:
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way,
Though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea.
Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Psalm 46:1–2
Of course, you don’t have to wait for trials and tribulations to arrive to start singing God’s word. It speaks to our joys as readily as our fears or sorrows. Stored up in our hearts, Scripture shapes and molds us, day by day, in ways we can only begin to grasp.
Memorizing Scripture also forces us to encounter God’s word without its “rough edges” sanded down. The Bible is filled with soaring poetry, puzzling images, and jarring plot twists. It may dwell on one person’s story across multiple books, and yet a single passage can offer depth to ponder for a lifetime.
Meanwhile, we live in an age that demands efficiency. As a result, many Christians today rely heavily on a handful of scriptural nuggets. And yet, separated from its context, an oft-repeated verse may be poorly understood at best.
Psalm 46 offers such an example. You’ve likely heard the first part of its tenth verse, “Be still and know that I am God.” An internet search for this phrase produces photos of spiritual seekers in nature, a sailboat gliding across turquoise waters, and other serene images.
None that appear give any hint of the tumult surrounding the verse:
Come behold the works of the Lord,
What desolation He has brought on earth.
He makes war to cease in all the world;
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear, and burns the chariots with fire.
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in all the earth.
Psalm 46:8–10
If all you want is a spiritual antidepressant, it might make sense to pluck out the “be still” verse. But when the mountains of life really tremble and shake, you’ll discover you need something more.
True peace, as it turns out, isn’t found in tranquil scenery, wonderful though it is for a time. Instead, it’s found in the Christ who died and rose again. It’s found in knowing Him, the Lord who will return one day to shatter every last weapon of war.
The story that Scripture welcomes us into is far richer—and more startling—than the biblical tidbits ever let on. It’s more satisfying than the most well-meaning platitudes.
And what better way to step into that story than by singing God’s own truth?
Here are a couple examples of Psalm 46 set to music. Don’t pressure yourself to learn an entire psalm quickly. Just find a version you enjoy and let it teach you little by little.
I really like the traditional psalm arrangements by Theopolis, but I realize they’re an acquired taste. As you listen, keep in mind that their recordings are not produced by professional singers in a studio. They’re made by ordinary people in a church.
If you’re partial to a modern style, The Corner Room has a version you might enjoy.
Have a blessed week of prayer—and singing!
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My son, who has Down Syndrome, does Awana and has to memorize a bunch of verses. He has always had trouble, but is motivated by music, so I started making up tunes for his Bible verses. It makes memorizing Bible verses, so much easier.
I've even gotten the songs stuck in my head. At first I was annoyed that the song was stuck in my head, but then I realized it was God's word stuck in my head. That is a good thing.
If you go to odysee.com and search for @ckkroeker, you can hear some of the songs. Some are better than others and the recordings are my first attempt. Frequently I clean them up a bit, but usually don't rerecord them.
Amen for the beautiful sharing! 🙏 I recall the days I memorized Ps91 and Ps27 during a life trial. It was truly marvelous to experience the powerful force in Ps and the faith it brings.