Therefore we will not fear though the earth give 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. Selah
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse describes mountains being hurled into the "heart of the seas," which isn't just a poetic image of chaos. It uses "heart" to signify the deep, hidden, and most inaccessible parts of the ocean, emphasizing that even the most solid and seemingly unmovable parts of creation could be utterly submerged and lost. This intense imagery highlights that the psalmist's lack of fear isn't about denying danger, but about finding an anchor stronger than any possible terrestrial or cosmic upheaval.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth give 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. Selah
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm begins with a declaration of God's power and presence as a refuge, immediately followed by a bold statement of unwavering trust even in the face of utter chaos. The imagery of the earth shaking and mountains plunging into the sea represents the most catastrophic, world-altering disasters imaginable, suggesting political upheaval or even natural devastation. The psalmist insists that because God is their refuge, they will not fear these cataclysms, setting up a contrast between the stability of God and the instability of the world.
Imagine everything you know — the ground beneath your feet, the very mountains you see — suddenly vanishing. How do you even begin to process that kind of chaos?
This verse paints a picture of ultimate upheaval. The psalmist uses extreme imagery: the earth giving way, mountains plunging into the sea. This isn't just a bad day; it's a cosmic disaster scenario.
The Ultimate Metaphor
This isn't necessarily about literal earthquakes or tsunamis. More often, these images represent the most terrifying political revolutions, the fall of mighty empires, or any crisis so profound it shakes the very foundations of existence. It's the language of ultimate fear, the stuff of nightmares.
Right after describing the unthinkable, the psalmist declares, 'Therefore we will not fear.' How can such a stark contrast even exist?
The power of this psalm hinges on that little word: 'Therefore.' It’s the crucial link between the terrifying imagery and the resolute declaration of faith. It means our fearlessness isn't a lack of understanding of the danger; it's a to something even greater.
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The Foundation of Fearlessness
Understand the original words
yare · Hebrew Verb
A psychological and spiritual reaction to perceived danger or threat. The Bible frequently contrasts fear with trust in God, exhorting believers not to succumb to terror because God is with them.
erets · Hebrew Noun
In biblical poetry, this term often refers to the creation order. When it "gives way," it signifies a total collapse of the established, stable order, often used metaphorically for societal or personal upheaval.
har · Hebrew Noun
Large, immovable features of the landscape that represent permanence and stability. To be moved into the sea signifies a reversal of the natural, divinely established order.
selah · Hebrew Noun
A musical or liturgical term whose exact meaning is debated but likely signifies a pause for reflection or an intensification of the musical theme. It directs the reader to stop and meditate on the truth just declared.
While this psalm speaks of ultimate trust in God amidst global cataclysm, it likely resonated most powerfully with ancient Israelites facing the terrifying military might of empires like Assyria and Babylon, which seemed capable of overturning the very foundations of the world.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Empire's Expansion
The Neo-Assyrian Empire, under kings like Tiglath-Pileser III and Sargon II, expanded aggressively, conquering many nations and threatening the stability of the region.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
Assyrian king Sennacherib invaded Judah, devastating many cities and besieging Jerusalem, causing widespread fear and political upheaval.
c. 701 BC
Miraculous Deliverance of Jerusalem
According to biblical accounts, a divine intervention miraculously destroyed Sennacherib's army, saving Jerusalem from conquest and fulfilling God's promise to protect His people.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army defeated the Egyptians and Assyrians, marking the beginning of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and the first wave of Judean exiles to Babylon.
587/586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem, destroyed the Temple, and exiled a significant portion of the remaining population to Babylon, marking a profound national catastrophe.
This passage describes the Assyrian empire's aggressive conquests, which the commentators suggest could be the historical context or metaphorical backdrop for the 'earth being removed' and 'mountains carried into the sea.'
Jeremiah 51:25This verse speaks of God's judgment against Babylon using imagery of mountains being cast into the sea, paralleling the dramatic, world-altering upheavals the psalmist describes and indicating divine power over seemingly unmovable earthly powers.
Revelation 6:12-14This apocalyptic vision describes cosmic disturbances, including the sun turning black and the sky rolling up like a scroll, mirroring the extreme natural chaos in Psalm 46:2 and suggesting a divine hand behind even the most unsettling world events.
Matthew 24:35Jesus uses the imagery of heaven and earth passing away to emphasize the enduring nature of His words, echoing the psalmist's theme that even fundamental aspects of creation are less permanent than God's promises and His people's security in Him.
pulpitPsalms 46:2: "Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;"
Verse 2. - Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed; or, though the earth change - a somewhat vague expression, probably to be understood of political changes and revolutions (see ver. 6). And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; rather, and though the mountains be hurled into the heart of the seas. A metaphor for still more…
clarkePsalms 46:2: "Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;"
Therefore will not we fear - Let what commotions will take place in the earth, we will trust in the all-powerful arm of God. Probably the earthquake referred to, here means political commotions, such as those mentioned under the title; and by mountains, kings or secular states may be intended.
The verse describes mountains being hurled into the "heart of the seas," which isn't just a poetic image of chaos. It uses "heart" to signify the deep, hidden, and most inaccessible parts of the ocean, emphasizing that even the most solid and seemingly unmovable parts of creation could be utterly submerged and lost. This intense imagery highlights that the psalmist's lack of fear isn't about denying danger, but about finding an anchor stronger than any possible terrestrial or cosmic upheaval.
This psalm begins with a declaration of God's power and presence as a refuge, immediately followed by a bold statement of unwavering trust even in the face of utter chaos. The imagery of the earth shaking and mountains plunging into the sea represents the most catastrophic, world-altering disasters imaginable, suggesting political upheaval or even natural devastation. The psalmist insists that because God is their refuge, they will not fear these cataclysms, setting up a contrast between the stability of God and the instability of the world.
This psalm begins with a declaration of God's power and presence as a refuge, immediately followed by a bold statement of unwavering trust even in the face of utter chaos. The imagery of the earth shaking and mountains plunging into the sea represents the most catastrophic, world-altering disasters imaginable, suggesting political upheaval or even natural devastation. The psalmist insists that because God is their refuge, they will not fear these cataclysms, setting up a contrast between the stability of God and the instability of the world.
"Therefore we will not fear though the earth give 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. Selah" — The verse describes mountains being hurled into the "heart of the seas," which isn't just a poetic image of chaos. It uses "heart" to signify the deep, hidden, and most inaccessible parts of the ocea…
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Last reviewed October 2026