Psalms in Worship—Psalm 46  A Litany of Scripture for Christ the King Sunday

Published November 17, 2025

Updated November 17, 2025

trees by streams of water
By Joyce Borger

Psalm 46 is the Psalm chosen to be read with the Revised Common Lectionary, Year C, on the last Sunday of the Christian Year, known as Christ the King or the Reign of Christ Sunday.

Throughout history there have been individuals who fancied themselves as kings or queens, regardless of their title, who wielded their power for their own profit and demanded unquestioning loyalty. There have also been examples in history of individuals with great power who served with humility, using their power to improve the lives of others and the creation in which we live. But even the best of them have been found wanting. Regardless of what human is in leadership and what type of leadership, it is hard to feel totally secure. 

When the insecurity of leadership is compounded by the chaos of the created world such as atrocities inflicted by humans and natural disasters, is it any wonder that desperate cries for peace have resounded since Adam and Eve left the garden? Is it any wonder that humans are constantly putting their faith in leaders who say that they can put an end to all these insecurities? 

In response to all the fear, insecurity, and chaos that fills our lives God says, “Be still, and now that I am God!”. Regardless of what it may look like from our vantage point, God is in control; Christ sits on the throne. No human can compare.  

This litany has Psalm 46 at its center intersected by portions of the other readings for the day from the Revised Common Lectionary. The psalm itself should be read by one person. To underscore that the other readings are from different passages of scripture, I would find three additional readers for the passages from Jeremiah, Luke, and Colossians. The refrain, “Be still, and know that I am God!” could be read by the readers and congregation together or by just the readers. 

To emphasize that it is God, the Lord, or Christ, who is in control and not a human or fate itself, I have opted to replace much of the “he” language found in the text with the actual name of the subject. Any text that has been revised or added from scripture, as found in the NRSVUE, has been bracketed but should be read as part of this litany. 

Reader 1

Woe to the shepherds 
who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! 
says the Lord. 
The days are surely coming, 
when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, 
and he shall reign as king 
and deal wisely 
and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 
—Jeremiah 23:1–5

All

Be still, and know that I am God!
—Psalm 46:10

Reader 2

God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble.
—Psalm 46:1 

Reader 3

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
    for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.
[The Lord God] has raised up a mighty savior for us
    in the house of his child David
as [the Lord God] spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
    that we would be saved from our enemies 
        and from the hand of all who hate us.
Thus [the Lord God] has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors
    and has remembered his holy covenant,
—Luke 1:68–72

Reader 2

God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble. 
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
    though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
God is our refuge and strength.
—Psalm 46:1–3

All

 “Be still, and know that I am God!”
—Psalm 46:10
  Silent Pause

Reader 2

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
    God will help it when the morning dawns. 
—Psalm 46:4–5

Reader 3

Because of the tender mercy of our God,
    the dawn from on high will break upon us,
    to shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,” 
—Luke 1:78–79

Reader 2

The nations are in an uproar; the kingdoms totter;
    [God] utters his voice; the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our refuge.
—Psalm 46:6–7

All

“Be still, and know that I am God!”
—Psalm 46:10
  Silent Pause

Reader 2

Come, behold the works of the Lord;
    see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
—Psalm 46:8

Reader 4

[Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, 
for in [Christ] all things in heaven and on earth were created, 
things visible and invisible, 
whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—
all things have been created through [Christ] and for [Christ] 
—Colossians 1:15–16

Reader 2

[The Lord] makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
    [the Lord] breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    [the Lord] burns the shields with fire. 
—Psalm 46:9

Reader 4

[Christ] himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 
[Christ] is the head of the body, the church; 
[Christ] is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, 
so that he might come to have first place in everything. 
For in [Christ] all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 
and through [Christ] God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, 
whether on earth or in heaven, 
by making peace through the blood of his cross. 
—Colossians 1:17–20

Reader 2

“Be still, and know that I am God!
    I am exalted among the nations;
    I am exalted in the earth.”
The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our refuge. 
—Psalm 46:10–11
    Growing quieter

All

 “Be still, and know that I am God! 
 Be still, and know
 Be still.” 
—Psalm 46:10