Be still and know that I'm with you
Be still and know that I am here
Be still and know that I'm with you
Be still, be still, and know

When darkness comes upon you
And colors you with fear and shame
Be still and know that I'm with you
And I will say your name

If terror falls upon your bed
And sleep no longer comes
Remember all the words I said
Be still, be still, and know

And when you go through the valley
And the shadow comes down from the hill
If morning never comes to be
Be still, be still, be still

If you forget the way to go
And lose where you came from
If no one is standing beside you
Be still and know I am

Be still and know that I'm with you
Be still and know I am


Lyrics submitted by llscience

Be Still Lyrics as written by Joseph King Isaac Slade

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Be Still song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

13 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +12
    General Comment

    I think this song has religious meaning to it. The Fray's band members are christians.

    "When darkness comes upon you and colors you with fear and shame Be still and know that I am with you And I will say your name." - Darkness is things like fear and shame in the bible. God tells us not to worry though because he is always with us. He knows our name, he knows every cell of our bodies. Be still meaning be calm or be okay because I am with you.

    "If terror falls upon your bed And sleep no longer comes Remember all the words I said Be still, be still, and know." - Terror is just more darkness. Hard times. Remember the words that God has said. He will always be with you.

    "And when you go through the valley and the shadow comes down from the hill If morning never comes to be Be still, be still, be still" - Psalm 23:4 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

    "If you forget the way to go And lose where you came from If no one is standing beside you Be still and know I am" God will never leave us nor forsake us even when we feel like there is nobody else. He is always there to guide and comfort us.

    nattieftwon February 24, 2012   Link
  • +5
    My Interpretation

    I really like this song, it's really nice to hear a song like this that doesn't need to have a huge build up or go for five minutes, it's just calm and gets the point across. I feel like it may be about death, and not being afraid of it. "If morning never comes to be, be still, be still, be still"

    First heard this on The Vampire Diaries during a death scene, that may contribute to my feeling towards it.

    carltonblueon April 28, 2012   Link
  • +5
    My Opinion

    I think this song is from God's point of view, talking to us, letting us know there is there and we don't have anything to worry about. The title is most likely inspired by Psalm 46:10 (NIV) "Be still, and know that I am God."

    I really like they were subtle about it, and don't beat the religious overtones over your head. It's very classy writing.

    Best line in my opinion: If no one is standing beside you Be still and know I am

    lmabe10on September 20, 2012   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I think this song has religious meaning to it. The Fray's band members are christians.

    "When darkness comes upon you and colors you with fear and shame Be still and know that I am with you And I will say your name." - Darkness is things like fear and shame in the bible. God tells us not to worry though because he is always with us. He knows our name, he knows every cell of our bodies. Be still meaning be calm or be okay because I am with you.

    "If terror falls upon your bed And sleep no longer comes Remember all the words I said Be still, be still, and know." - Terror is just more darkness. Hard times. Remember the words that God has said. He will always be with you.

    "And when you go through the valley and the shadow comes down from the hill If morning never comes to be Be still, be still, be still" - Psalm 23:4 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

    "If you forget the way to go And lose where you came from If no one is standing beside you Be still and know I am" God will never leave us nor forsake us even when we feel like there is nobody else. He is always there to guide and comfort us.

    nattieftwon February 24, 2012   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I think that this song is about how a guy comforts a girl who's really sad and hurting.. He promises that he will be there for her no matter what and when the whole world collapses around her, he will be there to pick her up and say "don't worry. All will be well". He tells her to "be still" without panicking and be calm. He deeply cares for her and loves her endlessly and promises to stand by her no matter what. :)

    crazyasfon January 04, 2014   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    a really beautiful song. seriously words cant describe how much impact this song has

    saangerson August 26, 2012   Link
  • +1
    My Opinion

    My opinion of this song, is pure peace. I think it is a biblical reference to God's word's saying, "Be still and know that I am God." It gives me piece of mind that no matter how hard something in life is, I know to just take a deep breathe and know that God is with me.

    Mchibbsteron March 22, 2013   Link
  • +1
    My Opinion

    A simple song, exudes peace and calm. The kind of song that makes one sleep at night. Comforting. Beautiful. :)

    blackpurgeon August 09, 2013   Link
  • 0
    Memory

    I believe it has religious meaning as well, that God is telling us no matter how hard things get he's always beside us, & that no matter what we're never truly alone. I listened to this song on repeat for weeks as I sat in hospice with my aunt as she slowly faded away, & for quite some time after she passed away. I would cry my eyes out missing her & this song helped me get through a very rough time. the words are so beautiful, & the music goes along so well with his voice, it always gave me such peace of mind. I really don't think anyone could've done this song as good as they did.

    nerdybatgirlon September 14, 2014   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I saw this in a similar song, I just had to comment! "The Lord is your shepherd, not men - not yourself. Focus on spirituality."

    I hope this quote moves someone as much as it moved me!!!

    DJN8on September 21, 2014   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him. There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Album art
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Album art
Magical
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.