TRV
Translation
Complete Jewish Bible
Those who go down to the sea in ships, plying their trade on the great ocean,
American Standard Version
They that go down to the sea in ships, That do business in great waters;
World English Bible Messianic
Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business in great waters;
Young's Literal Translation
Those going down to the sea in ships, Doing business in many waters,
In the KJVVerse 15,723 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 107:23 introduces the fourth and final group of individuals whose experiences serve as a profound testament to the Lord's enduring goodness and steadfast love: those who embark on perilous maritime journeys for trade and commerce. This verse vividly portrays human enterprise and inherent vulnerability against the backdrop of the vast, unpredictable sea, setting the stage for a dramatic demonstration of divine sovereignty and miraculous intervention in the face of overwhelming natural forces.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Psalm 107 is a magnificent psalm of communal thanksgiving, meticulously structured around a recurring four-fold pattern of distress, a desperate cry to the Lord, divine deliverance, and a subsequent call to praise. Before verse 23, the psalm has already depicted God's saving acts for three distinct groups: wanderers lost and hungry in the wilderness who cried out for guidance, whom God led to a city of habitation (Psalm 107:4-9); prisoners suffering in darkness and chains due to their rebellion against God's word, whom God freed from their bonds (Psalm 107:10-16); and those afflicted by illness and near death because of their foolish ways, whom God healed and rescued from destruction (Psalm 107:17-22). Verse 23 initiates the fourth scenario, focusing on mariners, and directly precedes the vivid account of a terrifying storm and God's miraculous calming of the seas in response to their desperate cries (Psalm 107:24-30), culminating in the repeated refrain, "Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" This climactic inclusion of mariners emphasizes the comprehensive scope of God's redemptive work.
Historical & Cultural Context: In the ancient Near East, seafaring was an inherently dangerous and often terrifying undertaking. Voyages were entirely at the mercy of unpredictable weather, strong currents, and the vast, often unknown, expanse of the open sea. Unlike the Phoenicians or Egyptians, Israel was not primarily a maritime nation, but they were certainly aware of and engaged in trade via the Mediterranean Sea, which was a vital artery for commerce and communication. The "great waters" (מַיִם רַבִּים, mayim rabbim) were not merely a physical description but also carried profound symbolic weight in ancient cosmologies, often representing chaos, danger, and forces beyond human control. The sea was frequently associated with primeval disorder (e.g., Genesis 1:2), and even monstrous entities like Rahab or Leviathan (Psalm 74:13-14). Mariners, therefore, were seen as undertaking a particularly risky and vulnerable profession, making their deliverance by God a profound testament to His absolute power and providential care over all creation and all human endeavors, even those that ventured into the most perilous domains.
Key Themes: This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Psalm 107 and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights human enterprise and vulnerability, showcasing individuals engaged in vital economic activity ("do business") in an environment where their strength, ingenuity, and control are utterly insufficient against the formidable forces of nature. This sets the stage for the crucial theme of divine intervention and sovereignty over creation, as the subsequent verses vividly portray God's absolute power to command the winds and waves, demonstrating that even the most formidable natural elements are subject to His will, a theme powerfully echoed in Psalm 89:9 and Psalm 65:7. Furthermore, by including mariners alongside wanderers, prisoners, and the sick, the psalm powerfully underscores the theme of God's universal care and comprehensive providence, asserting that His watchful eye and saving hand extend to all people, regardless of their specific circumstances, geographical location, or occupation. This demonstrates His boundless hesed (steadfast love) and His responsiveness to the cries of all humanity in their varied struggles.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 107:23 masterfully employs several literary devices to effectively set the scene and foreshadow the unfolding narrative. Imagery is prominently used, painting a vivid mental picture of ships venturing onto the vast, potentially treacherous ocean for the purpose of trade. The phrase "go down to the sea" utilizes metonymy, where "sea" stands in for the entire act of seafaring and the associated dangers. Similarly, "ships" can function as a synecdoche, representing the mariners who sail them, thereby focusing on their vulnerability. The description of "great waters" serves as powerful foreshadowing, subtly hinting at the immense, overwhelming power that will soon be unleashed in the terrifying storm described in subsequent verses. This sets the dramatic tension and prepares the reader for God's awe-inspiring intervention, emphasizing the stark contrast between human frailty and divine omnipotence.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 107:23, by introducing the mariners, powerfully reinforces the overarching theological message of the psalm: God's compassionate and sovereign care extends to all people in all circumstances of distress. It highlights the inherent vulnerability of humanity, even in its most industrious and seemingly self-sufficient endeavors, when confronted with the overwhelming forces of nature or the unpredictable challenges of life. The "great waters" symbolize not only literal oceanic perils but also the metaphorical "storms" of life—crises, uncertainties, and challenges that threaten to engulf us. The psalm's consistent pattern of distress leading to a cry for help and subsequent divine deliverance underscores God's attentiveness to human need and His ultimate control over all creation, inviting profound trust and worship from all who experience His saving hand.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 107:23, though describing ancient mariners, speaks profoundly to the universal human experience of risk, uncertainty, and dependence in any era. It reminds us that our human enterprise, whether in business, travel, personal relationships, or daily life, often places us in "great waters"—situations beyond our immediate control where our strength, wisdom, or resources are utterly insufficient. These "waters" can manifest as financial crises, health battles, relational conflicts, periods of profound uncertainty, or even the overwhelming demands of our vocations. The verse sets the stage for the crucial lesson that follows: when we find ourselves overwhelmed by such circumstances, our only true recourse is to cry out to the Lord. It encourages us to acknowledge our limitations and God's limitless power, fostering a posture of humble reliance and fervent prayer. Just as God heard the mariners' cries and brought them to their desired haven, He promises to be our refuge and strength in every storm, demonstrating His universal care for all who call upon Him, inviting us to trust His sovereign hand even amidst the chaos.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "go down to the sea" imply beyond a literal descent?
Answer: Beyond the literal act of descending from land onto a ship and then onto the sea's surface, the phrase "go down to the sea" carries a profound metaphorical implication of entering a realm of danger, uncertainty, and potential chaos. In ancient Near Eastern thought, the sea was often seen as a powerful, untamed force, frequently associated with primeval disorder and forces that defy human control. Thus, "going down to the sea" suggests venturing into a domain where human strength is limited and where one is exposed to forces far greater than oneself, highlighting the inherent vulnerability of the mariners. This sets the stage for a dramatic display of divine power over these formidable elements, as vividly seen later in Psalm 107:24-30, where God demonstrates His absolute sovereignty over the storm.
Why are mariners specifically included in Psalm 107 alongside wanderers, prisoners, and the sick?
Answer: The inclusion of mariners in Psalm 107 is crucial for demonstrating the universality and comprehensive scope of God's care and deliverance. The psalm systematically presents four distinct groups experiencing different forms of profound distress—wanderers lost in the wilderness, prisoners in darkness, the sick afflicted by folly, and mariners facing terrifying storms at sea. By encompassing such diverse circumstances, occupations, and forms of suffering, the psalm powerfully illustrates that God's goodness and steadfast love (Hebrew: hesed) extend to all humanity, regardless of their specific plight, location, or social standing. It underscores His sovereignty over all aspects of creation, including the elements, and His responsiveness to the desperate cries of all who seek His help, making His providence truly comprehensive and boundless, as He brings each group to their "desired haven" (Psalm 107:30). This universal reach of divine mercy is a central message of the psalm.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The depiction of God's power over the "great waters" in Psalm 107:23 and the subsequent verses finds its ultimate fulfillment and most profound expression in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament reveals Yahweh as the one who stills the raging sea (Psalm 89:9), the New Testament presents Jesus as the incarnate God who commands the winds and waves with a mere word, bringing immediate calm to a terrifying storm (Mark 4:39). This miraculous demonstration of authority over creation reveals His divine identity, proving that He is the very Lord who delivers the mariners in Psalm 107. Moreover, Jesus is not only the one who calms literal storms, but He is also the one who delivers humanity from the "great waters" of sin, death, and judgment. He is the ultimate "desired haven" for all who are tossed by the storms of life, offering an anchor for the soul that is firm and secure (Hebrews 6:19). Just as the mariners cried out to the Lord and were saved, so too does Jesus invite all who are weary and burdened to come to Him for rest and salvation (Matthew 11:28). He transforms those "doing business in great waters" into fishers of men (Matthew 4:19), demonstrating His universal care and redemptive purpose for all humanity.