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Psalm 46:9
ESV He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.
NIV He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
NASB He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire.
CSB He makes wars cease throughout the earth. He shatters bows and cuts spears to pieces; he sets wagons ablaze.
NLT He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
KJV He 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.

What does Psalm 46:9 mean?

The context of this verse is a celebration of God's protection for Jerusalem and His people of the nation of Israel (Psalm 46:1–7). The meaning is not that God would stop all combat on earth at that time. The imagery of the Lord destroying military equipment and leaving them charred and useless is a symbol of His absolute power. An example of this, which might have inspired this psalm, is the annihilation of 185,000 Assyrian soldiers who attempted to besiege Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:35).

At the same time, a God-ordained end to all war is part of earth's future. Isaiah 2:4 predicts a time when warfare ends and peace prevails. At that time, the Messiah will

"judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore."
Ezekiel 39:9 prophesies: "Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out and make fires of the weapons and burn them, shields and bucklers, bow and arrows, clubs and spears; and they will make fires of them for seven years." Isaiah 9:6 identifies the Messiah as bearing the government on His shoulder during that time of peace. Verse 7 describes His government as one of endless peace. He will rule His kingdom from the throne of David and justice and righteousness will characterize the kingdom.
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