User:Exfilia/What the Bible Says/Psalms/Psalm46

CUSTODIANS: Please don't move this yet. I want to build up a substantial volume of work before I go "live;" I don't want this project to be one of those with nine million red resources and one or two blue ones.

Directions
Read Psalm 46 in your preferred translation and in the King James Version. What differences do you find? How do they affect the passage's meaning?

If there are words in the passage that you're not familiar with, look them up now in Wiktionary or your dictionary of choice.

The Quiz
To test your understanding, complete the following texts based on the KJV version of Psalm 46. Yes, this is an open Book quiz.

{ Safety God is { our refuge and strength }, a very present { help in trouble }. Therefore will not we { fear }, though the { earth } be removed, and though the mountains be { carried into the midst of the sea }; Though the { waters } thereof roar and be troubled, though the { mountains } shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
 * type="{}"}

{ Where we find security There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad { the city of God }, the holy place of the { tabernacles of the most High }. { God } is in the midst of her; she shall not be { moved }:
 * type="{}"}

{ The wrath of God The { heathen } raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth { melted }. The LORD { of hosts } is with us; the God of Jacob is { our refuge }. Selah. Come, behold the works of the LORD, what { desolations } he hath made in the earth. He maketh { wars to cease } unto the end of the earth;
 * type="{}"}

{ Supremacy Be still, and know { that I am God }: I will be { exalted } among the heathen, I will be exalted { in the earth }.
 * type="{}"}

Discussion questions

 * 1) Who do you think is the speaker in this psalm, as opposed to the author?
 * 2) To whom do you think the speaker is speaking?
 * 3) Compare and contrast what Psalm 46 says about the activity of God and of earthly powers.
 * 4) What figures of speech does Psalm 46 use? To what effect?
 * 5) What natural phenomena is depicted in the imagery of Psalm 46?

Optional Activities
Won't change much from passage to passage
 * 1) What other passages of scripture reference this one?  What passages does this one reference?
 * 2) Research the effect this passage has had on the thought of one or more theologians.
 * 3) Research ways in which this passage has been used in art, music and literature.
 * 4) Research the ways in which this passage has been or might be used in your congregation's worship.
 * 5) Create an original work of art based on this passage.
 * 6) Design a way to use this passage in your personal devotions.
 * 7) Design a way to teach this passage to preliterate children: a skit, a feltboard presentation,a game, a craft activity, whatever.
 * 8) Design a way to use this passage to address the needs of some specific population: nursing home residents, grief support group, etc.
 * 9) Memory verse: choose the verse from this passage that seems most significant to you, and commit it to memory together with its chapter and verse reference.  For example, "Romans 13:1--Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God."