Psalms 46:3 — Word Study
WLCיֶהֱמ֣וּ יֶחְמְר֣וּ מֵימָ֑יו יִֽרְעֲשֽׁוּ־ הָרִ֖ים בְּגַאֲוָת֣וֹ סֶֽלָה׃
BSAand the mountainshar [shake, tremble]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יֶהֱמ֣וּ | they will roar | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine plural |
| יֶחְמְר֣וּ | they will foam | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine plural |
| מֵימָ֑יו | waters its | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| יִֽרְעֲשֽׁוּ־ | they will shake | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine plural |
| הָרִ֖ים | mountains | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| בְּגַאֲוָת֣וֹ | at swelling its | Preposition, noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| סֶֽלָה׃ | Selah | Particle |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge. Selah |
| KJV | Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. |
| ASV | Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, Though the mountains tremble with the swelling thereof. [Selah |
| YLT | Roar — troubled are its waters, Mountains they shake in its pride. Selah. |
| WEB | though its waters roar and are troubled, though the mountains tremble with their swelling. Selah. |
| BBE | Though its waters are sounding and troubled, and though the mountains are shaking with their violent motion. (Selah.) |
Where they part company is יֶחְמְר֣וּ — see How Translations Differ.
The structure presents a main clause followed by descriptive phrases, emphasizing the chaotic imagery of nature.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectמוּר
verbעַל
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 46:3
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Protection Amidst Chaosgenerated
Psalm 46:3 describes a scene of natural chaos where the waters roar and foam, and the mountains quake. This imagery sets the stage for the psalmist's assurance that despite such turmoil, God remains a refuge and strength for His people. The surrounding verses emphasize this theme of divine protection in the face of overwhelming circumstances, reminding the reader of God's unwavering presence and support.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 18:4 | The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me. |
| 2 | Psalm 93:3–4 | The floodwaters have risen, O LORD; the rivers have raised their voice; the seas lift up their pounding waves. |
| 3 | Job 38:11 | and I declared: ‘You may come this far, but no farther; here your proud waves must stop’? |
| 4 | Isaiah 5:3 | “And now, O dwellers of Jerusalem and men of Judah, I exhort you to judge between Me and My vineyard. |
| 5 | Isaiah 17:12–13 | Alas, the tumult of many peoples; they rage like the roaring seas and clamoring nations; they rumble like the crashing of mighty waters. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 16 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יֶהֱמ֣וּ, ye.he.Mugenerated
The verb יֶהֱמ֣וּ (yehemu) is in the Qal imperfect form, indicating a future action of roaring or making noise. It suggests a loud, tumultuous sound, often associated with chaos or distress. The root conveys a sense of commotion, and this word is frequently used to describe waters in agitation, as seen in Jeremiah 5:22.
In this verse, it paints a vivid picture of the waters in turmoil, emphasizing the intensity and potential danger of the situation. The psalmist uses this imagery to contrast the chaos of nature with the steadfastness of God.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse is constructed with a series of clauses describing actions and states: the waters roaring, foaming, and the mountains shaking. The finite verbs יֶהֱמ֣וּ, יֶחְמְר֣וּ, and יִֽרְעֲשֽׁוּ serve as the main actions, while the noun הָרִ֖ים serves as the subject.
This structure emphasizes the chaotic elements of nature, with the verbs leading the imagery and the mountains acting as the grounding force in the scene.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יֶהֱמ֣וּ as φοβηθησόμεθα (G5124), which conveys a sense of fear or being troubled. This choice reflects a slight interpretative shift, suggesting that the roaring of the waters instills fear.
This interpretation may highlight the emotional response to the chaos, contrasting with the psalmist's confidence in God's protection.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 46:3 describes a scene where the waters roar and foam, and the mountains shake in the surge. This imagery illustrates chaos in nature, but the psalmist reassures that God is a refuge and strength, providing safety amidst turmoil.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The roaring of the waters symbolizes chaos and turmoil, representing overwhelming circumstances that can cause fear.
The mountains shaking indicates a contrast between stability and chaos, emphasizing that even the most stable elements can be affected by turmoil.
Selah is a musical term indicating a pause for reflection, inviting the listener to contemplate the message of the psalm.
Despite the chaotic imagery of roaring waters and shaking mountains, the psalmist expresses confidence in God's protection, assuring that He is a refuge.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I feel overwhelmed like the waters roaring?
- How can I remind myself of God's presence during turbulent times?
- What does it mean to me that God is a refuge?
- How can I use moments of chaos to reflect on my faith and reliance on God?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Augustine of Hippo refers to this verse in his exposition, illustrating the tumultuous nature of the waters in the context of the Gospel's proclamation.
"The waters thereof roared, and were troubled" [Psalms 46:3]: when the Gospel was preached,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 46 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 46:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible[Though] the waters thereof roar [and] be troubled,.... The noise of which causes men's hearts to fail them for fear, Lu 21:25; [though] the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
Read John Gill on Psalms 46 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThough the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. (Though) the waters thereof roar, and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 46 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThough the sea be very tempestuous, and its waters (by which a multitude of people is oft signified, as ,15) rage, to Wit, against us, as appears from the following verses. Though its raging waves assault mighty princes and kingdoms, and make them shake and be ready to fall down.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 46 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 46:3 [Though] the waters thereof roar [and] be troubled, [though] the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.Ver. 3. Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled] Heb. Be mudded; yet we will not fear, viz. with base distrustful fear, Ut omnes procellae horribili cum boatu circumsonent. Tauti est experientiam sensumque auxilii divini habere. The tempestuous rising and roaring of the sea is so terrible, that Aristotle saith, whosoever feareth it not is either mad or senseless (Ethic. 3. 7). Fear not, saith the angel to St Paul himself in that dreadful storm, Acts 27:24, which implieth that be was afraid with a natural fear; and he might be so without sin. An awful fear of…
Read John Trapp on Psalms 46 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(3) Though the waters . . .—The original is very expressive in its conciseness: “They roar, they foam, its waters.” Comp. Homer’s equally concise description, including in three words the “rush,” the “swell,” and the “roar” of ocean (Iliad, xxiii. 230). Swelling.—Or, pride. (Comp. Job 38:11.) The change in construction in this verse seems to confirm the suspicion that the refrain has dropped away.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 46 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 3. Though the waters thereof roar] Waters, in prophetic language, signify people; and, generally, people in a state of political commotion, here signified by the term roar. And by these strong agitations of the people, the mountains - the secular rulers, shake with the swelling thereof - tremble, for fear that these popular tumults should terminate in the subversion of the state. This very people had seen all Asia in a state of war. The Persians had overturned Asia Minor, and destroyed the Babylonian empire: they had seen Babylon itself sacked and entered by the Persians; and Cyrus, its conqueror, had behaved to them as a father and deliverer. While their oppressors were destroyed…
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 46 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges3. As the text stands this verse must be treated, as in the A.V. and R.V., as a continuation of Psa 46:2. But the symmetrical structure of the Ps., resembling that of Psalms 42-43, makes it probable that the refrain (Psalms 46:7; Psalms 46:11) has been lost. If it is restored, we may render: Let the waters thereof rage and foam I Let the mountains quake at the proud swelling thereof! Jehovah of hosts is with us, The God of Jacob is our high fortress. Be all around us never so threatening, we are secure in the presence and protection of Jehovah. For the ‘proud swelling’ of the sea cp. Psalms 89:9.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 46 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThough the waters thereof roar and be troubled - The waters of the sea. The idea is, that they would not be afraid though everything should be in commotion, and be as unsettled as the restless waves of the ocean.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 46 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge. Selah
though its waters roar and are troubled, though the mountains tremble with their swelling. Selah.
though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge. Selah
when its waves crash and foam, and the mountains shake before the surging sea. (Selah)
Tyndale line
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, Though the mountains tremble with the swelling thereof. [Selah
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah
Though its waters shall roar and be disturbed, though the mountains shake with the swelling of it. Selah.
Though the waters thereof rage and be troubled, and the mountaines shake at the surges of the same. Selah,
Strictly literal
Though the waters thereof roar [and] foam, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
Roar — troubled are its waters, Mountains they shake in its pride. Selah.
Roar—troubled are its waters, || Mountains shake in its pride. Selah.
(46:4) [When] the waters thereof roar and foam, when mountains quake before his majesty. Selah.
though its waters roar and rage, and though the mountains tremble with their swelling. Selah
From the Latin
For the Lord is high, terrible: a great king over all the earth.
Simplified
though the waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble as the waters surge violently! Selah.
Though its waters are sounding and troubled, and though the mountains are shaking with their violent motion. (Selah.)
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads יֶהֱמ֣וּ יֶחְמְר֣וּ מֵימָ֑יו יִֽרְעֲשֽׁוּ־ הָרִ֖ים בְּגַאֲוָת֣וֹ סֶֽלָה׃, and the Septuagint matches six of the seven words, indicating a strong agreement between these texts with minor variations in wording.
יֶהֱמ֣וּ יֶחְמְר֣וּ מֵימָ֑יו יִֽרְעֲשֽׁוּ־ הָרִ֖ים בְּגַאֲוָת֣וֹ סֶֽלָה׃
6 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 46:3
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
הָמָה (hamah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to murmur, growl, or roar, and it conveys a sense of loudness or tumult. It can refer to various forms of noise and commotion, including being boisterous or troubled. The entries suggest a range of meanings from making noise to being in a state of uproar, with some nuances in emotional expression, such as mourning or prayer.
[הָמָה] vb. murmur, growl, roar, be boisterous
Qal
growl like a dog
murmur, fig. of soul in discouragement
roar, of waves
be in commotion, stir
be boisterous, turbulent
base
H1993 [הָמָה] murmur, growl, roar, be boisterous
1993 hamah haw-maw'
a primitive root (compare 1949); to make a loud sound like
Engl. "hum"); by implication, to be in great commotion or
tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor:--clamorous, concourse, cry
aloud, be disquieted, loud, mourn, be moved, make a noise,
rage, roar, sound, be troubled, make in tumult, tumultuous, be
in an uproar.
see HEBREW for 01949
הָמָה (ha.mah) — to roar.
1) to murmur, growl, roar, cry aloud, mourn, rage, sound, make noise, tumult, be clamorous, be disquieted, be loud, be moved, be troubled, be in an uproar
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to growl
1a2) to murmur (fig. of a soul in prayer)
1a3) to roar
1a4) to be in a stir, be in a commotion
1a5) to be boisterous, be turbulent
HVqi3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVqi3mp
The Hebrew word חָמַר (chamar) has several meanings, primarily relating to boiling or fermenting, as well as covering or smearing with asphalt. It can also denote a reddening effect. The entries highlight its use in contexts of agitation, such as foaming waters, and its specific application in Exodus 2:3 regarding sealing with pitch.
חָמַר vb. ferment, boil or foam up
Qal and wine which foams; the great waters foamed; let its waters roar and foam.
Pe‛al‛al my bowels are in a ferment
H2560a חָמַר ferment, boil or foam up H2560b חָמַר vb. denom. cover or smear with asphalt H2560c חמר be red
2560 chamar khaw-mar'
a primitive root; properly, to boil up; hence, to ferment
(with scum); to glow (with redness); as denominative (from
2564) to smear with pitch:--daub, befoul, be red, trouble.
see HEBREW for 02564
חָמַר (cha.mar) — to aggitate.
1) to boil, foam, foam up, ferment
1a) (Qal) to boil, foam up
1b) (Poalal) to be troubled, be in turmoil
חָמַר (cha.mar) — to daub.
(Qal) to daub, seal up, cover or smear with asphalt
חָמַר (cha.mar) — be red.
(Poalal) to be reddened
HVqi3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVqi3mp
fom (qetseph (Ho 10:7); aphros (Lu 9:39), aphrizo (Mr 9:18,20), epaphrizo (Jude 1:13)):
Qetseph from qatsaph, "to break to pieces," or "to break forth into anger," "to be angry," occurs often in the sense of "wrath" or "anger" (e.g. Nu 1:53; Ps 38:1, etc.), and in this passage has been rendered "twigs" or "chips," "As for Samaria, her king is cut off, as foam (the Revised Version, margin "twigs") upon the water" (Ho 10:7). The other references are from the New Testament. In Jude, evil-doers or false teachers are…
Foam
(Hos. 10:7), the rendering of ketseph, which properly means twigs or splinters (as rendered in the LXX. and marg. R.V.). The expression in Hosea may therefore be read, “as a chip on the face of the water,” denoting the helplessness of the piece of wood as compared with the irresistable current.
מַי (mayim) is a Hebrew word meaning 'water' and is used in the plural form. It encompasses various meanings, including literal water, urine, and metaphorical uses related to refreshment or danger. The entries indicate it is derived from a primitive noun and is primarily referenced in contexts involving water.
[מַי] 580 n.m. only pl. מַ֫יִם waters, water
base
H4325 מַי only pl. מַ֫יִם waters, water
4325 mayim mah'-yim
dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense);
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen:--+
piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)).
מַי (ma.yim) — water.
1) water, waters
1a) water
1b) water of the feet, urine
1c) of danger, violence, transitory things, refreshment (fig.)
מַי (ma.yim) — Water (Gate).
This name means water, refreshment
HNcmpc/Sp3ms — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3ms
רָעַשׁ (ra`ash) is a Hebrew verb meaning to quake or shake. It describes actions such as trembling or moving, often due to fear, and can also refer to the springing of a horse. The verb appears in different forms, including Qal (to shake), Niphal (to be made to quake), and Hiphil (to cause to quake or leap).
[רָעַשׁ] vb. quake, shake
Qal quake, shake
Niph. is made to quake
Hiph.
cause to quake
cause (horse) to spring, leap (like locust)
base
H7493 [רָעַשׁ] quake, shake
7493 ra`ash raw-ash
a primitive root; to undulate (as the earth, the sky, etc.;
also a field of grain), partic. through fear; specifically, to
spring (as a locust):--make afraid, (re-)move, quake, (make
to) shake, (make to) tremble.
רָעַשׁ (ra.ash) — to shake.
1) to quake, shake
1a) (Qal) to quake, shake
1b) (Niphal) to be made to quake
1c)(Hiphil)
1c1) to cause to quake
1c2) to cause to spring or leap (of horse)
HVqi3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVqi3mp
הַר (har) means 'mountain' or 'hill,' and can refer to a range of hills or hill-country. It is derived from a root that suggests elevation and can be used figuratively. The entries consistently highlight its geographical connotations without significant disagreement.
הַר 568 n.m. mountain, hill, hill-country
mountain, hill
hill-country, mountain-region
base
H2022 הַר mountain, hill, hill-country
2022 har har
a shortened form of 2042; a mountain or range of hills
(sometimes used figuratively):--hill (country), mount(-ain), X
promotion.
see HEBREW for 02042
הַר (har) — mountain: mount.
: mount/hill
hill, mountain, hill country, mount
הַר (har) — mountain: hill country.
: hill_country
hill, mountain, hill country, mount
A sub-meaning of har (הַר ": mount" H2022)
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
Are among the most sublime and impressive of the Creator’s works on earth, and from the noblest and most enduring monuments of great events. Most of the mountains of Scripture thus stand as witnesses for God—every view of their lofty summits, and every recurrence to them in thought reminding us of the sacred facts and truths connected with them. Thus Mount Ararat is a standing memorial of the deluge of man’s sin, God’s justice, and God’s mercy. Mount Sinai asserts the terrors of the divine law. Mount Carmel summons us, like the prophet Elijah of old, not to "halt between two opinions;" but if Jehovah is God, to love and serve him. The mount of the Transfiguration still shines with the glory of the truths there taught, and Mounts Ebal and Gerizim still echo the curses and the blessings once so solemnly pronounced from them. So Mount Hor, Nebo, Lebanon, and Gilboa have been signalized by…
- The elevated parts of the earth
Ge 7:19,20
- GOD
. Formed
. Set fast
. Gives strength to
. Weighs, in a balance
. Waters, from his chambers
גַּאֲוָה (ga'avah) refers to concepts of majesty and pride, encompassing meanings like arrogance and haughtiness. It can also denote a physical rising or swelling, such as that of the sea. The word is built from the root associated with elevation, and its usage in the Old Testament reflects these themes of pride and exaltation.
גַּאֲוָה n.f. majesty, pride
rising up, swelling of the sea
majesty
pride, haughtiness
base
H1346 גַּאֲוָה majesty, pride
1346 ga`avah gah-av-aw'
from 1342; arrogance or majesty; by implication, (concretely)
ornament:--excellency, haughtiness, highness, pride, proudly,
swelling.
see HEBREW for 01342
גַּאֲוָה (ga.a.vah) — pride.
1) pride, majesty, a rising up
1a) a rising up, swelling (of the sea)
1b) majesty (of Israel)
1c) pride, haughtiness
HR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms — Preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHR/Ncfsc/Sp3ms
סֶ֫לָה (selah) means to lift up or exalt. It is primarily recognized as a musical term indicating a pause or interruption, often found in the Psalms. The word is derived from a root meaning 'suspension' and appears frequently in the context of music, suggesting accentuation.
סֶ֫לָה vb. lift up, or exalt;—this interpr. agrees with usage: 71 t. in 39 ψψ, 3 t. Hb 3
base
H5542 סֶ֫לָה lift up, or exalt
5542 celah seh'-law
from 5541; suspension (of music), i.e. pause:--Selah.
see HEBREW for 05541
סֶ֫לָה (se.lah) — Selah.
§ 1) to lift up, exalt
1a) Selah
1a1) a technical musical term probably showing accentuation, pause, interruption
HTj — ParticleHTj
se'-la.
See MUSIC, II, 1.
Selah
A word frequently found in the Book of Psalms, and also in Hab. 3:9, 13, about seventy-four times in all in Scripture. Its meaning is doubtful. Some interpret it as meaning “silence” or “pause;” others, “end,” “a louder strain,” “piano,” etc. The LXX. render the word by daplasma i.e., “a division.”
This word, which is found only in the poetical books of the Old Testament, occurs seventy-one times in the Psalms and three times in Habakkuk. It is probably a term which had a meaning in the musical nomenclature of the Hebrews, though what that meaning may have been is now a matter of pure conjecture. (Gesenius and Ewald and others think it has much the same meaning as our interlude,--a pause in the voices singing, while the instruments perform alone.)
A musical term which occurs seventy-three times in the Psalms, and is found also in Hab 3:3,9,13. It usually occurs at the end of a period or apostrophe, but sometimes at the end only of a clause. This difficult word, it is now generally believed, was a direction for a meditative pause in the singing of a psalm, during which perhaps there was an instrumental interlude.