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Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/46.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/46.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/46.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br /><i>Though</i> the waters thereof roar <i>and</i> be troubled, <i>though</i> the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/46.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br /><i>Though</i> its waters roar <i>and</i> be troubled, <i>Though</i> the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/46.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Though its waters roar <i>and</i> foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/46.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/46.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Though its waters roar <i>and</i> foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/46.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Though its waters roar <i>and</i> foam, Though the mountains quake at its lofty pride. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/46.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains tremble at its roaring. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/46.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />though its water roars and foams and the mountains quake with its turmoil. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/46.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with its turmoil. Selah <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/46.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, Though the mountains tremble with the swelling thereof. [Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/46.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Let the ocean roar and foam, and its raging waves shake the mountains. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/46.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/46.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Water roars and foams, and mountains shake at the surging waves. [Selah]<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/46.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />even if the seas roar and rage, and the hills are shaken by the violence. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/46.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />when its waters roar and rage, when the mountains tremble despite their pride. Interlude<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/46.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/46.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />when its waves crash and foam, and the mountains shake before the surging sea. (Selah) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/46.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />though its waters roar and are troubled, though the mountains tremble with their swelling. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/46.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Though its waters shall roar and be disturbed, though the mountains shake with the swelling of it. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/46.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />though its waters roar and are troubled, though the mountains tremble with their swelling. Selah. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/46.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Roar—troubled are its waters, "" Mountains shake in its pride. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/46.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Roar -- troubled are its waters, Mountains they shake in its pride. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/46.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Its waters will roar, they will foam; the mountains will tremble in its pride. Silence.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/46.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Their waters roared and were troubled: the mountains were troubled with his strength. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/46.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 45:4>They thundered, and the waters were stirred up among them; the mountains have been disturbed by his strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/46.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Though its waters rage and foam and mountains totter at its surging. <i>Selah</i> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/46.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/46.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the force thereof.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/46.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Their waters shall be troubled and return and the mountains will be moved by his strength.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/46.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Though the waters thereof roar and foam, Though the mountains shake at the swelling thereof. Selah <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/46.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Their waters have roared and been troubled, the mountains have been troubled by his might. Pause.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/46-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=5480" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/46.htm">God is Our Refuge and Strength</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas, <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: mê·māw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">though their waters</a> <a href="/hebrew/1993.htm" title="1993: ye·hĕ·mū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to make a loud sound like Engl. hum); by implication, to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor.">roar</a> <a href="/hebrew/2560.htm" title="2560: yeḥ·mə·rū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to boil up; hence, to ferment; to glow; as denominative to smear with pitch.">and foam</a> <a href="/hebrew/2022.htm" title="2022: hā·rîm (N-mp) -- Mountain, hill, hill country. A shortened form of harar; a mountain or range of hills.">and the mountains</a> <a href="/hebrew/7493.htm" title="7493: yir·‘ă·šū- (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To quake, shake. A primitive root; to undulate, partic. Through fear; specifically, to spring.">quake</a> <a href="/hebrew/1346.htm" title="1346: bə·ḡa·’ă·wā·ṯōw (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Majesty, pride. From ga'ah; arrogance or majesty; by implication, ornament.">in the surge.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5542.htm" title="5542: se·lāh (Interjection) -- To lift up, exalt. From calah; suspension, i.e. Pause.">Selah</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>There is a river whose streams delight the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/24-19.htm">Isaiah 24:19-20</a></span><br />The earth is utterly broken apart, the earth is split open, the earth is shaken violently. / The earth staggers like a drunkard and sways like a shack. Earth’s rebellion weighs it down, and it falls, never to rise again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/4-23.htm">Jeremiah 4:23-26</a></span><br />I looked at the earth, and it was formless and void; I looked to the heavens, and they had no light. / I looked at the mountains, and behold, they were quaking; all the hills were swaying. / I looked, and no man was left; all the birds of the air had fled. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nahum/1-5.htm">Nahum 1:5</a></span><br />The mountains quake before Him, and the hills melt away; the earth trembles at His presence—the world and all its dwellers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/6-14.htm">Revelation 6:14</a></span><br />The sky receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/2-19.htm">Isaiah 2:19-21</a></span><br />Men will flee to caves in the rocks and holes in the ground, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth. / In that day men will cast away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and gold—the idols they made to worship. / They will flee to caverns in the rocks and crevices in the cliffs, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-29.htm">Matthew 24:29</a></span><br />Immediately after the tribulation of those days: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-10.htm">Joel 2:10-11</a></span><br />Before them the earth quakes; the heavens tremble. The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars lose their brightness. / The LORD raises His voice in the presence of His army. Indeed, His camp is very large, for mighty are those who obey His command. For the Day of the LORD is great and very dreadful. Who can endure it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/16-18.htm">Revelation 16:18-20</a></span><br />And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake the likes of which had not occurred since men were upon the earth—so mighty was the great quake. / The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. And God remembered Babylon the great and gave her the cup of the wine of the fury of His wrath. / Then every island fled, and no mountain could be found.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/38-19.htm">Ezekiel 38:19-20</a></span><br />In My zeal and fiery rage I proclaim that on that day there will be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. / The fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the beasts of the field, every creature that crawls upon the ground, and all mankind on the face of the earth will tremble at My presence. The mountains will be thrown down, the cliffs will collapse, and every wall will fall to the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/3-6.htm">Habakkuk 3:6</a></span><br />He stood and measured the earth; He looked and startled the nations; the ancient mountains crumbled; the perpetual hills collapsed. His ways are everlasting.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-25.htm">Luke 21:25-26</a></span><br />There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves. / Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/13-13.htm">Isaiah 13:13</a></span><br />Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken from its place at the wrath of the LORD of Hosts on the day of His burning anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/11-13.htm">Revelation 11:13</a></span><br />And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand were killed in the quake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/haggai/2-6.htm">Haggai 2:6-7</a></span><br />For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. / I will shake all the nations, and they will come with all their treasures, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-26.htm">Hebrews 12:26-27</a></span><br />At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth, but heaven as well.” / The words “Once more” signify the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that the unshakable may remain.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.</p><p class="hdg">the waters</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/18-4.htm">Psalm 18:4</a></b></br> The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/93-3.htm">Psalm 93:3,4</a></b></br> The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/38-11.htm">Job 38:11</a></b></br> And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?</p><p class="hdg">mountains</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/114-4.htm">Psalm 114:4-7</a></b></br> The mountains skipped like rams, <i>and</i> the little hills like lambs… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/5-4.htm">Judges 5:4,5</a></b></br> LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/19-11.htm">1 Kings 19:11</a></b></br> And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; <i>but</i> the LORD <i>was</i> not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; <i>but</i> the LORD <i>was</i> not in the earthquake:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/43-5.htm">Disturbed</a> <a href="/job/24-18.htm">Foam</a> <a href="/acts/17-28.htm">Motion</a> <a href="/psalms/46-2.htm">Mountains</a> <a href="/psalms/45-4.htm">Pride</a> <a href="/psalms/18-7.htm">Quake</a> <a href="/psalms/42-7.htm">Roar</a> <a href="/psalms/44-8.htm">Selah</a> <a href="/psalms/46-2.htm">Shake</a> <a href="/psalms/44-14.htm">Shaking</a> <a href="/psalms/42-7.htm">Sounding</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-16.htm">Surging</a> <a href="/leviticus/14-56.htm">Swelling</a> <a href="/psalms/34-2.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/psalms/18-7.htm">Tremble</a> <a href="/psalms/43-5.htm">Troubled</a> <a href="/psalms/38-8.htm">Tumult</a> <a href="/psalms/37-35.htm">Violent</a> <a href="/psalms/33-7.htm">Waters</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/77-3.htm">Disturbed</a> <a href="/hosea/10-7.htm">Foam</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-22.htm">Motion</a> <a href="/psalms/50-11.htm">Mountains</a> <a href="/psalms/47-4.htm">Pride</a> <a href="/psalms/60-2.htm">Quake</a> <a href="/psalms/74-4.htm">Roar</a> <a href="/psalms/46-7.htm">Selah</a> <a href="/psalms/59-11.htm">Shake</a> <a href="/psalms/48-6.htm">Shaking</a> <a href="/psalms/47-5.htm">Sounding</a> <a href="/psalms/89-9.htm">Surging</a> <a href="/psalms/89-9.htm">Swelling</a> <a href="/psalms/48-12.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/psalms/60-2.htm">Tremble</a> <a href="/psalms/46-6.htm">Troubled</a> <a href="/psalms/46-6.htm">Tumult</a> <a href="/psalms/51-14.htm">Violent</a> <a href="/psalms/58-7.htm">Waters</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 46</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/46-1.htm">The confidence which the church has in God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/46-8.htm">An exhortation to behold it</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/46.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/46.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>though their waters roar and foam</b><br>This phrase evokes the imagery of tumultuous seas, symbolizing chaos and disorder. In biblical literature, the sea often represents danger and the unknown, as seen in <a href="/genesis/1-2.htm">Genesis 1:2</a>, where the Spirit of God hovers over the waters, bringing order from chaos. The roaring and foaming waters can also be seen as a metaphor for nations in turmoil, as in <a href="/isaiah/17-12.htm">Isaiah 17:12-13</a>, where the nations are compared to the roaring of mighty waters. This imagery underscores God's sovereignty over creation and the nations, emphasizing His power to bring peace amidst chaos.<p><b>and the mountains quake in the surge</b><br>Mountains in biblical times were often seen as symbols of stability and permanence. The quaking of mountains signifies a dramatic upheaval, suggesting that even the most stable elements of creation are subject to God's power. This can be connected to the theophany at Mount Sinai in <a href="/exodus/19-18.htm">Exodus 19:18</a>, where the mountain trembles at God's presence. The imagery of quaking mountains also points to eschatological themes, as seen in <a href="/revelation/6-14.htm">Revelation 6:14</a>, where mountains are moved from their places during the end times. This serves as a reminder of God's ultimate authority over all creation.<p><b>Selah</b><br>The term "Selah" is a Hebrew word found frequently in the Psalms, often interpreted as a pause for reflection or a musical interlude. Its exact meaning is uncertain, but it invites the reader or listener to pause and consider the weight of the preceding words. In the context of this verse, "Selah" encourages contemplation of God's power over natural and national chaos, prompting trust in His unchanging nature amidst life's uncertainties.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_psalmist.htm">The Psalmist</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/46.htm">Psalm 46</a>, traditionally attributed to the sons of Korah, who were Levites and temple musicians. They express trust in God's protection amidst chaos.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/mountains.htm">Mountains</a></b><br>Symbolic of stability and permanence in the ancient world. Their quaking represents the upheaval of what is considered stable and secure.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/w/waters.htm">Waters</a></b><br>Often symbolize chaos and danger in biblical literature. The roaring and foaming waters depict turmoil and uncertainty.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/selah.htm">Selah</a></b><br>A term used in the Psalms, possibly indicating a pause for reflection or musical interlude, inviting the reader to meditate on the preceding verses.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_chaos.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Chaos</a></b><br>Despite the roaring waters and quaking mountains, God remains in control. Believers can find peace knowing that God is sovereign over all circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/stability_in_god.htm">Stability in God</a></b><br>The imagery of mountains quaking serves as a reminder that earthly stability is temporary, but God is our eternal refuge and strength.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflective_pause.htm">Reflective Pause (Selah)</a></b><br>Taking time to pause and reflect on God's power and presence can strengthen our faith and provide peace in times of trouble.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>Trusting God in the midst of life's storms requires active faith. Believers are called to rely on God's promises and presence rather than their own understanding.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_46.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 46</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_psalm_46_3_waters_conflict_today.htm">Why does the imagery of roaring and foaming waters (Psalm 46:3) conflict with modern oceanographic understanding? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_science_proof_of_divine_talk.htm">Psalm 3:4 claims God answers from 'his holy mountain'--why is there no scientific confirmation of divine communication from a specific location?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_habakkuk_3_8-10_align_with_records.htm">In Habakkuk 3:8-10, can the dramatic imagery of raging waters and trembling mountains be reconciled with known geological or historical records?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_jer._46_8's_nile_flood_literal_or_not.htm">Jeremiah 46:8 - Is the imagery of the Nile flooding over the land literal or metaphorical, and could it contradict natural constraints on river flooding known from geological studies?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/46.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">Though the waters . . .</span>--The original is very expressive in its conciseness:<p>"They roar, they foam, its waters."<p>Comp. Homer's equally concise description, including in three words the "rush," the "swell," and the "roar" of ocean (<span class= "ital">Iliad, xxiii.</span> 230).<p><span class= "bld">Swelling.</span>--Or, <span class= "ital">pride. </span>(Comp. <a href="/job/38-11.htm" title="And said, Till now shall you come, but no further: and here shall your proud waves be stayed?">Job 38:11</a>.) The change in construction in this verse seems to confirm the suspicion that the refrain has dropped away.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/46.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled</span>; or, <span class="accented">roar and foam</span> (Hengstenberg, Kay, Cheyne). <span class="cmt_word">Though the mountains</span> <span class="cmt_word">shake with the swelling thereof</span> (comp. <a href="/psalms/93-3.htm">Psalm 93:3, 4</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/46-8.htm">Jeremiah 46:8, 9</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/47-2.htm">Jeremiah 47:2</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/46-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">though its waters</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵימָ֑יו</span> <span class="translit">(mê·māw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">roar</span><br /><span class="heb">יֶהֱמ֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(ye·hĕ·mū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1993.htm">Strong's 1993: </a> </span><span class="str2">To make a, loud sound, commotion, tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and foam</span><br /><span class="heb">יֶחְמְר֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yeḥ·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2560.htm">Strong's 2560: </a> </span><span class="str2">To boil up, to ferment, to glow, to smear with pitch</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the mountains</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(hā·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2022.htm">Strong's 2022: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mountain, hill, hill country</span><br /><br /><span class="word">quake</span><br /><span class="heb">יִֽרְעֲשֽׁוּ־</span> <span class="translit">(yir·‘ă·šū-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7493.htm">Strong's 7493: </a> </span><span class="str2">To undulate, through fear, to spring</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the surge.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּגַאֲוָת֣וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḡa·’ă·wā·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1346.htm">Strong's 1346: </a> </span><span class="str2">Arrogance, majesty, ornament</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Selah</span><br /><span class="heb">סֶֽלָה׃</span> <span class="translit">(se·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5542.htm">Strong's 5542: </a> </span><span class="str2">Suspension, pause</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/46-3.htm">Psalm 46:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/46-3.htm">Psalm 46:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/46-3.htm">Psalm 46:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/46-3.htm">Psalm 46:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/46-3.htm">Psalm 46:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/46-3.htm">Psalm 46:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/46-3.htm">Psalm 46:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/46-3.htm">Psalm 46:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/46-3.htm">Psalm 46:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/46-3.htm">Psalm 46:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/46-3.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 46:3 Though its waters roar and are troubled (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/46-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 46:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 46:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/46-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 46:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 46:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>