God Our Refuge and Strength
Psalms 45
The psalmist declares that the Lord is a refuge and strength for his people even should the earth be shaken and the mountains cast into the depths of the sea, describing the peace of the city of God amid the tumult of raging nations. The Lord commands the nations to be still and know that he is God, exalted over all the earth.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
Thomson—
BrentonFor the end, for the sons of Core; a Psalm concerning secret things.
GreekΕἰς τὸ τέλος, ὑπὲρ τῶν υἱῶν Κορὲ, ὑπὲρ τῶν κρυφίων ψαλμός.
KJV—
JPS—
2
ThomsonGOD is our refuge and strength; our helper in the troubles which often befall us.
BrentonGod is our refuge and strength, a help in the afflictions that have come heavily upon us.
GreekὉ Θεὸς ἡμῶν καταφυγὴ καὶ δύναμις, βοηθὸς ἐν θλίψεσι ταῖς εὑρούσαις ἡμᾶς σφόδρα.
KJVGod is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
JPSGod is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
3
ThomsonTherefore we will not be dismayed, though the earth be shaken, and mountains be hurled to the midst of seas.
BrentonTherefore will we not fear when the earth is troubled, and the mountains are removed into the depths of the seas.
GreekΔιὰ τοῦτο οὐ φοβηθησόμεθα ἐν τῷ ταράσσεσθαι τὴν γῆν, καὶ μετατίθεσθαι ὄρη ἐν καρδίαις θαλασσῶν.
KJVTherefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
JPSTherefore will we not fear, though the earth do change, And though the mountains be moved into the heart of the seas;
4
ThomsonTheir waters roared and were troubled. By His power the mountains were convulsed.
BrentonTheir waters have roared and been troubled, the mountains have been troubled by his might. Pause.
GreekἬχησαν καὶ ἐταράχθησαν τὰ ὕδατα αὐτῶν, ἐταράχθησαν τὰ ὄρη ἐν τῇ κραταιότητι αὐτοῦ. διάψαλμα.
KJVThough the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
JPS—
5
ThomsonThe swelling streams of this river gladden the city of God: the Most High hath hallowed His own dwelling:
BrentonThe flowings of the river gladden the city of God: the Most High has sanctified his tabernacle.
GreekΤοῦ ποταμοῦ τὰ ὁρμήματα εὐφραίνουσι τὴν πόλιν τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἡγίασε τὸ σκήνωμα αὐτοῦ ὁ ὕψιστος.
KJVThere is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
JPSThere is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, The holiest dwelling-place of the Most High.
6
ThomsonGod is in the midst of it; it cannot be shaken; God by His presence will support it.
BrentonGod is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her with his countenance.
GreekὉ Θεὸς ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῆς οὐ σαλευθήσεται, βοηθήσει αὐτῇ ὁ Θεὸς τῷ προσώπῳ.
KJVGod is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
JPSGod is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, at the approach of morning.
7
ThomsonThe nations were troubled, kingdoms tottered; He uttered His voice, the earth was shaken.
BrentonThe nations were troubled, the kingdoms tottered: he uttered his voice, the earth shook.
GreekἘταράχθησαν ἔθνη, ἔκλιναν βασιλεῖαι, ἔδωκε φωνὴν αὐτοῦ, ἐσαλεύθη ἡ γῆ.
KJVThe heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
JPSNations were in tumult, kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
8
ThomsonThe Lord of Hosts is with us; our helper is the God of Jacob.
BrentonThe Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our helper. Pause.
GreekΚύριος τῶν δυνάμεων μεθʼ ἡμῶν, ἀντιλήπτωρ ἡμῶν ὁ Θεὸς Ἰακώβ. διάψαλμα.
KJVThe LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
JPSThe LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our high tower. Selah
9
ThomsonCome and see the works of the Lord— The wonders which He hath done on the earth:
BrentonCome, and behold the works of the Lord, what wonders he has achieved on the earth.
GreekΔεῦτε καὶ ἴδετε τὰ ἔργα τοῦ Κυρίου, ἃ ἔθετο τέρατα ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς·
KJVCome, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
JPSCome, behold the works of the LORD, Who hath made desolations in the earth.
10
ThomsonHe is making wars to cease to the ends of the earth. He will break the bow and shiver the lance, and shields He will utterly consume with fire.
BrentonPutting an end to wars as for the ends of the earth; he will crush the bow, and break in pieces the weapon, and burn the bucklers with fire.
Greekἀνταναιρῶν πολέμους μέχρι τῶν περάτων τῆς γῆς, τόξον συντρίψει, καὶ συγκλάσει ὅπλον, καὶ θυρεοὺς κατακαύσει ἐν πυρί.
KJVHe maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
JPSHe maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; He burneth the chariots in the fire.
11
ThomsonBe still and know that I am God: let Me be exalted among the nations, let Me be exalted in the earth.
BrentonBe still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
GreekΣχολάσατε καὶ γνῶτε, ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ Θεὸς, ὑψωθήσομαι ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, ὑψωθήσομαι ἐν τῇ γῇ·
KJVBe still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
JPS'Let be, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'
12
ThomsonThe Lord of Hosts is with us, our helper is the God of Jacob.
BrentonThe Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our helper.
GreekΚύριος τῶν δυνάμεων μεθʼ ἡμῶν, ἀντιλήπτωρ ἡμῶν ὁ Θεὸς Ἰακώβ.
KJVThe LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
JPSThe LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our high tower. Selah