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Translation
Young's Literal Translation
He establisheth a whirlwind to a calm, And hushed are their billows.
In the KJVVerse 15,729 of 31,102
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Commentary on Psalms 107 verses 23–32
23 ¶ They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.
25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.
28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
The psalmist here calls upon those to give glory to God who are delivered from dangers at sea. Though the Israelites dealt not much in merchandise, yet their neighbours the Tyrians and Zidonians did, and for them perhaps this part of the psalm was especially calculated.
I. Much of the power of God appears at all times in the sea, Psa 107:23, Psa 107:24. It appears to those that go down to the sea in ships, as mariners, merchants, fishermen, or passengers, that do business in great waters. And surely none will expose themselves there but those that have business (among all Solomon's pleasant things we do not read of any pleasure-boat he had), but those that go on business, lawful business, may, in faith, put themselves under the divine protection. These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders, which are the more surprising, because most are born and bred upon land, and what passes at sea is new to them. The deep itself is a wonder, its vastness, its saltness, its ebbing and flowing. The great variety of living creatures in the sea is wonderful. Let those that go to sea be led, by all the wonders they observe there, to consider and adore the infinite perfections of that God whose the sea is, for he made it and manages it.
II. It especially appears in storms at sea, which are much more terrible than at land. Observe here, 1. How dangerous and dreadful a tempest at sea is. Then wonders begin to appear in the deep, when God commands and raises the strong wind, which fulfils his word, Psa 148:8. He raises the winds, as a prince by his commission raises forces. Satan pretends to be the prince of the power of the air; but he is a pretender; the powers of the air are at God's command, not at his. When the wind becomes stormy it lifts up the waves of the sea, Psa 107:25. Then the ships are kicked like tennis-balls on the tops of the waves; they seem to mount up to the heavens, and then they couch again, as if they would go down to the depths, Psa 107:26. A stranger, who had never seen it, would not think it possible for a ship to live at sea, as it will in a storm, and ride it out, but would expect that the next wave would bury it and it would never come up again; and yet God, who taught man discretion to make ships that should so strangely keep above water, does by his special providence preserve them, that they answer the end to admiration. When the ships are thus tossed the soul of the seaman melts because of trouble; and, when the storm is very high, even those that are used to the sea can neither shake off nor dissemble their fears, but they reel to and fro, and tossing makes them giddy, and they stagger and are sick, it may be, like a drunken man; the whole ship's crew are in confusion and quite at their wits' end (Psa 107:27), not knowing what to do more for their preservation; all their wisdom is swallowed up, and they are ready to give up themselves for gone, Jon 1:5, etc. 2. How seasonable it is at such a time to pray. Those that go to sea must expect such perils as are here described, and the best preparation they can make for them is to make sure a liberty of access to God by prayer, for then they will cry unto the Lord, Psa 107:28. We have a saying, "Let those that would learn to pray go to sea;" I say, Let those that will go to sea learn to pray, and accustom themselves to pray, that they may come with the more boldness to the throne of grace when they are in trouble. Even heathen mariners, in a storm, cried every man to his god; but those that have the Lord for their God have a present and powerful help in that and every other time of need, so that when they are at their wits' end they are not at their faith's end. 3. How wonderfully God sometimes appears for those that are in distress at sea, in answer to their prayers: He brings them out of the danger; and, (1.) The sea is still: He makes the storm a calm, Psa 107:29. The winds fall, and only by their soft and gentle murmurs serve to lull the waves asleep again, so that the surface of the sea becomes smooth and smiling. By this Christ proved himself to be more than a man that even the winds and the seas obeyed him. (2.) The seamen are made easy: They are glad because they are quiet, quiet from the noise, quiet from the fear of evil. Quietness after a storm is a very desirable thing, and sensibly pleasant. (3.) The voyage becomes prosperous and successful: So he brings them to their desired haven, Psa 107:30. Thus he carries his people safely through all the storms and tempests that they meet with in their voyage heaven-ward, and lands them, at length, in the desired harbour. 4. How justly it is expected that all those who have had a safe passage over the sea, and especially who have been delivered from remarkable perils at sea, should acknowledge it with thankfulness, to the glory of God. Let them do it privately in their closets and families. Let them praise the Lord for his goodness to themselves and others, Psa 107:31. Let them do it publicly (Psa 107:32), in the congregation of the people and in the assembly of the elders; there let them erect the memorials of their deliverance, to the honour of God, and for the encouragement of others to trust him.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 23–32. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 107
..."They who go down on the sea in ships, doing their business on the mighty waters" [Psalm 107:23]; that is, among many peoples. For that waters are often put for peoples, the Apocalypse of John is witness, when on John's asking what those waters were, it was answered him, they are peoples. They then who do their business on mighty waters, "they have seen the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep" [Psalm 107:24]. For what is deeper than human hearts? Hence often break forth winds; storms of sedition, and dissensions, disturb the ship. And what is done in them? God, willing that both they who steer, and they who are conveyed, should cry unto Him, "He spoke, and the breath of the storm stood" [Psalm 107:25]. What is, stood? Abode, continued, still disturbs, long tosses; rages, and passes not away. "For He spoke, and the breath of the storm stood." And what did that breath of the storm? "They go up even to the heavens," in daring; "They go down even into the deeps" [Psalm 107:26], in fearing. "Their soul wasted in miseries." "They were disturbed, and moved like a drunken man" [Psalm 107:27]. They who sit at the helm, and they who faithfully love the ship, feel what I say. Certainly, when they speak, when they read, when they interpret, they appear wise. Woe for the storm! "and all their wisdom," he says, "was swallowed up." Sometimes all human counsels fail; whichever way one turns himself, the waves roar, the storm rages, the arms are powerless: where the prow may strike, to what wave the side may be exposed, whither the stricken ship may be allowed to drift, from what rocks she must be kept back lest she be lost, is impossible for her pilots to see. And what is left but that which follows? "And they cried out unto the Lord when they were troubled, and He delivered them from their distresses" [Psalm 107:28]. "And He commanded the storm, and it stood unto clear air" [Psalm 107:29], "and the waves of it were still." Hear on this point the voice of a steersman, one that was in peril, was brought low, was freed. "I would not," he says, have you ignorant, brethren, of our distress, which befell us in Asia, that "we were pressed above strength, and above measure" (I see all his "wisdom swallowed up"), "so that we were weary," he says, "even of life." [2 Corinthians 1:8] ...
"And they were glad, because they were still, and He brought them into the haven of their desire" [Psalm 107:30]. "Let His mercies confess unto the Lord, and His wonders towards the sons of men" [Psalm 107:31]. Everywhere, without exception, let not our merits, not our strength, not our wisdom, "confess unto the Lord," but, "His mercies." Let Him be loved in every deliverance of ours, who has been invoked in every distress.
Desert FathersAD 500
The Desert Fathers, Sayings of the Early Christian Monks
[Syncletica] also said, ‘We have no security in this world. The Apostle said, “Let him that thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). We are sailing on uncharted seas, as the psalmist David said, “Our life is like a sea.” Yet some seas have dangerous reefs, some are full of sharks, some seas are calm. It seems as if we are sailing in calm waters, while men of the world are sailing in rough weather. We are sailing in daylight, led by the sun of righteousness, while they are being driven along in the night of ignorance. Yet it often happens that worldly men, sailing in darkness and through storms, are so afraid of danger that they save the ship by calling upon God and by watchfulness, while we, in our calm waters, become careless, leave the proper course of righteousness, and are sunk.’
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 107:29 stands as a profound declaration of God's absolute sovereignty over the natural world, specifically His unparalleled power to transform tumultuous chaos into serene tranquility. This verse, emerging from a narrative depicting mariners in desperate peril, highlights the Lord's immediate and powerful response to human distress, demonstrating His omnipotence and compassionate intervention to bring stillness and peace to the most formidable of natural forces.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The profound impact of Psalms 107:29 is amplified through its masterful use of several literary devices. The most prominent is vivid Imagery, particularly the stark contrast between the raging "storm" and the ensuing "calm," and the turbulent "waves" that become "still." This creates a powerful mental picture of divine control transforming chaos into perfect order. The verse also employs Metaphor, as the literal storm and waves can be understood as symbolic representations of the overwhelming troubles, crises, and anxieties that individuals face in life. God's ability to still the physical tempest thus serves as a metaphor for His capacity to bring peace and resolution to spiritual and emotional turmoil. While not explicit personification, there is a subtle sense in which the storm and waves are presented as entities that obey a divine command, almost as if they possess a will that is subjugated. Finally, the two clauses exhibit a clear form of consequential parallelism, where the second clause ("so that the waves thereof are still") directly illustrates and confirms the action described in the first ("He maketh the storm a calm"), reinforcing the completeness and efficacy of God's power.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 107:29 stands as a powerful testament to the absolute sovereignty of God over all creation, a theological truth foundational to the biblical worldview. It underscores His omnipotence, demonstrating that no force, however overwhelming, lies beyond His command. This divine control is not merely an abstract power but is exercised with compassionate intent, responding to the desperate cries of His people. The stillness God brings is not just an absence of chaos, but the active establishment of His divine order and peace (shalom). This verse reminds us that the same God who spoke the cosmos into existence and controls the elements is intimately involved in the lives of His creation, capable of bringing tranquility to the most turbulent circumstances, both literal and figurative.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For contemporary believers, Psalms 107:29 offers immense spiritual nourishment and practical guidance. In a world often characterized by uncertainty, anxiety, and personal trials that can feel as overwhelming as a raging tempest, this verse serves as a profound reminder that our God remains sovereign and omnipotent. It invites us to bring our fears, anxieties, and chaotic situations—whether they be relational conflicts, financial distress, health crises, or spiritual struggles—to Him in prayer. The assurance that "He maketh the storm a calm" encourages a deep reliance on God's active intervention and His capacity to bring stillness and peace into our lives, even when external circumstances remain turbulent. This passage cultivates a posture of trust, reminding us that true peace is found not in the absence of storms, but in the presence and power of the One who commands them. It calls us to rest in His unfailing control, knowing that His peace, which transcends all understanding, is available to quiet the most turbulent "waves" we encounter.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does this verse mean God will always remove my personal difficulties?
Answer: While Psalms 107:29 powerfully illustrates God's ability to intervene and bring literal calm, its primary application for believers often extends to spiritual and emotional peace amidst life's challenges. God's sovereignty means He can remove difficulties, but He doesn't always do so according to our expectations. Sometimes, He brings an inner "calm" to our hearts and minds, enabling us to navigate the storm with His peace, rather than removing the storm itself. The key takeaway is His active presence and power in our distress, whether through immediate deliverance or through sustaining grace that allows us to find stillness even within turbulence, as promised in Philippians 4:7.
How does God "make the storm a calm" today?
Answer: God can still calm literal storms, as He is unchanging in His power and still sovereign over creation. However, in our daily lives, He often brings calm through various means: by granting us an inner peace that transcends understanding (John 14:27), by providing wisdom and guidance to navigate difficult situations, by sending supportive people, or by simply reminding us of His presence and control through His Word. His calming presence might manifest as a sudden clarity, a deep sense of assurance, or the ability to rest in His providence, even when circumstances remain challenging. The ultimate calm is found in resting in His sovereign will and trusting His perfect plan.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 107:29 finds its most profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth. The Old Testament accounts of Yahweh's power over the elements are not merely historical anecdotes but prophetic foreshadowings of the divine authority embodied in Christ. When Jesus, in the New Testament, stands in a boat amidst a raging tempest and commands, "Peace, be still!" (Mark 4:39), and the wind ceases and there is a great calm, He is demonstrating the very same divine power attributed to God in Psalms 107:29. His disciples' astonished question, "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him!" (Matthew 8:27), points directly to His deity. Beyond His physical mastery over creation, Jesus is also the ultimate source of spiritual calm and peace. He offers a peace "not as the world gives" (John 14:27), a peace that quiets the storms of sin, guilt, fear, and death. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection, He has overcome the ultimate chaos of sin, offering reconciliation with God and the promise of eternal rest (Colossians 1:20). Thus, the God who stills the literal storm in Psalms 107:29 is fully revealed in Jesus, who brings ultimate calm to the human soul and to all creation.