Stillness
Quiet
Waiting
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These verses ON STILLNESS and any linked articles/stories are intended to help jumpstart you in your own studies. VERSES ARE BEST UNDERSTOOD WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE WHOLE LETTER in which it was written. We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to have your own bible and seek on your own. no one or any resource can replace one-on-one time with the king.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Part of being still is the process of stepping out of worry and anxiety, grief, fear, stress, etc. In compiling verses, I am looking for instances in the Bible that not only tell us to be still but “do not ___” statements. For example, “Do not fear” “Do not be anxious” “Be not grieved” and so on. The reason is that it appears stillness and peace are the absence of these things. Stillness is what allows us to attach ourselves to the promises of God.
Bible versions used will vary and some may be paraphrased. We suggest using BibleGateway.com to look up the verse in your favorite version. Side notes, emphasis, etc. are my own.
The verses listed below are in no particular order.
PSALM 46:10 Surrender your anxiety! Be silent and stop your striving and you will see that I am God. I am the God above the nations, and I will be exalted throughout the whole earth. [TPT]
PSALM 46:10 Be still (or “cease striving”), and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! [NKJV]
PROVERBS 9:4-6 Whoever wants to know me and receive my wisdom, come and dine at my table and drink of my wine. Lay aside your simple thoughts and leave your paths behind. Agree with my ways, live in my truth, and righteousness you will find.
PROVERBS 20:24 It is the Lord who directs your life, for each step you take is ordained by God to bring you closer to your destiny. So much of your life, then, remains a mystery! [TPT]
PROVERBS 17:1 Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting and strife.
PSALM 42:11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God. [NKJV]
PROVERBS 20:3 It is honorable for a man to stop striving since any fool can start a quarrel. [NKJV]
ISAIAH 40:31 …but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. [ESV]
ISAIAH 41:1 Listen to me in silence… [ESV]
ISAIAH 41:9-10 You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its farthest regions, And said to you,‘You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you,Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ [NKJV]
ISAIAH 41:13 For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand,
Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ [NKJV]
ISAIAH 30:15 For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, “In returning (or repentance) and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength.” But you were not willing. [NAS]
PSALM 116:7 Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you. [NAS]
PSALM 116:7 Now I can say to myself and to all, “Relax and rest, be confident and serene, for the Lord rewards fully those who simply trust in him.” [TPT]
PSALM 37: 7,9 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him…those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land. [ESV]
PSALM 37:11 The meek will inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace. [CJB]
MEEK occasionally appears along with the concept of stillness, or still and meek are used interchangeably among translations. The 1828 Webster Dictionary defines meek as: "Mild of temper; soft; gentle; not easily provoked or irritated; yielding; given to forbearance under injuries."
PSALM 37:34 Wait for the Lord and keep His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land; [ESV]
PSALM 69:6 Let not those who wait and hope and look for You, O Lord of hosts, be put to shame through me; let not those who seek and inquire for and require You [as their vital necessity] be brought to confusion and dishonor through me, O God of Israel. [AMPC]
PSALM 69:32 you who seek God, inquiring for and requiring Him [as your first need], let your hearts revive and live! [AMPC]
1 SAMUEL 9:27 And as they were going down to the outskirts of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us—and he passed on—but you stand still, first, that I may cause you to hear the word of God. [AMPC]
1 SAMUEL 12:16 So stand still and see this great thing the Lord will do before your eyes now. [AMPC]
1 SAMUEL 12:24 Only fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; for consider how great are the things He has done for you. [AMPC]
2 Kings 19:12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [a sound of gentle stillness and] a still, small voice. [AMPC]