⬅️ Back to Compositions

“Be Still and Know that I Am God” brings together several scriptural themes. The title, taken from Psalm 46:10 calls on us all to pause, be still, and realize that God is in control. I take it to also mean “Calm down! Stop obsessing about whether you are worthy of God’s love; you are!” The opening section by the soloist references the passage in Luke 10 where Martha complains to Jesus that her sister Mary isn’t helping with the meal preparation for Jesus and his disciples. She wants everything to be perfect for this special guest (“We are not worthy of your presence”). Another reference I had in mind is George Herbert’s poem “Love bade me welcome,” in which the humble sinner is reluctant to accept Christ’s love and hospitality. By the end of the piece, the host does calm down and does accept the love and grace of God.