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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 107:24 stands as a powerful testament within a broader psalm of thanksgiving, asserting the Lord's magnificent power and deliberate actions as observed by those who navigate the vast and often treacherous seas. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty, demonstrating that His dominion extends beyond the terrestrial to encompass the deepest and most chaotic elements of creation, revealing His awe-inspiring "works" and "wonders" to all who are attentive, especially those who experience His providential care amidst maritime peril.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Psalm 107 is a grand communal psalm of thanksgiving, distinguished by a recurring refrain that calls for praise to the Lord for His goodness and wonderful works. The psalm systematically illustrates God's deliverance through four distinct scenarios of distress, each culminating in a cry for help and divine intervention. These groups include wanderers lost in the wilderness (Psalms 107:4-9), prisoners held captive in darkness (Psalms 107:10-16), the sick suffering due to their sin (Psalms 107:17-22), and finally, mariners caught in violent storms at sea (Psalms 107:23-32). Verse 24 specifically focuses on the mariners' direct observation of God's power as He commands the elements, setting the narrative stage for their desperate plea and subsequent miraculous rescue. The psalm concludes with a sapiential call to wisdom, urging readers to discern and acknowledge God's enduring lovingkindness.
Historical & Cultural Context: In the ancient Near East, seafaring was an inherently dangerous enterprise, characterized by unpredictable storms, hidden navigational hazards, and the constant threat of shipwreck. For the Israelites, a predominantly agrarian society, the sea frequently symbolized untamed power, chaos, and even the abode of primordial monsters, such as Leviathan. Unlike maritime nations like Egypt or Phoenicia, Israel's relationship with the sea was often one of profound awe and trepidation. Consequently, the biblical assertion of God's ability to control the "deep" served as a powerful declaration of His absolute sovereignty, distinguishing Him sharply from pagan deities often associated with limited or localized domains. Mariners, described as "those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business in great waters" (Psalms 107:23), were uniquely positioned to witness the raw, overwhelming power of nature and, by extension, the even greater power of the God who commands it.
Key Themes: Psalms 107:24 significantly contributes to the overarching themes of God's Sovereignty Over Creation and Divine Revelation Through His Works. The verse powerfully articulates the Lord's absolute control over the natural world, particularly the vast and formidable sea, which was often perceived as chaotic and beyond human mastery. He orchestrates events and manifests His might through elements frequently deemed insurmountable, demonstrating His dominion over even the deepest parts of creation, echoing God's rhetorical challenges to Job concerning the sea's boundaries in Job 38:8-11. Furthermore, the verse emphasizes that God reveals Himself not only through His spoken word but also through His mighty deeds in creation. Those who are attentive and discerning can "see the works of the LORD," aligning with the broader biblical truth that God's "invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made" (Romans 1:20). The mariners' experience thus becomes a potent metaphor for humanity's encounter with God's power in the face of overwhelming circumstances.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 107:24 masterfully employs several potent literary devices. Parallelism is evident in the two clauses, where "the works of the LORD" is directly paralleled by "his wonders," creating a sense of emphasis and reinforcing the idea that God's actions in creation are both purposeful ("works") and awe-inspiring ("wonders"). The "deep" functions as a powerful Symbolism or Metaphor for chaos, danger, and the unknown, over which God demonstrates absolute and unwavering control. By placing His "wonders" in this formidable realm, the psalmist profoundly underscores God's supreme sovereignty, indicating that no force, however vast, terrifying, or chaotic, is beyond His divine command. Furthermore, the mariners' specific experience of witnessing these divine displays also serves as a Synecdoche, where their unique encounter represents humanity's broader experience of confronting God's immense power in the face of overwhelming and seemingly uncontrollable circumstances.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 107:24 serves as a profound theological statement on God's omnipresent sovereignty and His self-revelation through creation. It affirms that God is not a distant, detached deity but an active, engaged Lord whose power is demonstrably at work in the natural world, even in its most chaotic and unpredictable elements. This divine control over the "deep" speaks to His ultimate authority over all forces, visible and invisible, chaotic and orderly. The verse also underscores the concept of general revelation—that God's existence, power, and divine nature are clearly discernible through the things He has made, inviting humanity to observe, acknowledge, and respond with praise and gratitude. It reminds us that even in the midst of life's most turbulent "storms," God's "works" and "wonders" are on display, calling us to trust in His unfailing ability to deliver and sustain.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 107:24 invites us to cultivate a posture of active observation and profound spiritual discernment in our daily lives. Just as the ancient mariners, confronted by the raw, untamed power of the sea, were compelled to recognize God's "works" and "wonders," so too are we called to see His sovereign hand in the circumstances of our own lives, whether they are turbulent or peaceful. This verse encourages us to move beyond a superficial appreciation of nature to a profound acknowledgment of the Creator's immense power, infinite wisdom, and meticulous design. It reminds us that even in overwhelming or chaotic situations—our personal "deeps"—the Lord remains absolutely sovereign, capable of both stirring up and calming the fiercest storms. By recognizing His control, we are called to trust implicitly in His providence, find awe in the intricate design and immense power displayed in all creation, and respond with humble gratitude for His enduring mercy and steadfast deliverance in every season of life.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is the "deep" significant in this verse?
Answer: The "deep" (Hebrew, mᵉtsôwlâh) is profoundly significant because it represents not only the literal depths of the ocean but also the forces of chaos and the unknown that ancient peoples, including the Israelites, often associated with the sea. In biblical thought, the sea was frequently depicted as a powerful, untamable, and even threatening entity, often linked to primordial chaos (e.g., Genesis 1:2). Therefore, God's ability to display His "works" and "wonders" in the "deep" profoundly underscores His absolute sovereignty and control over all creation, including the most formidable and unpredictable elements. It highlights that no force, no matter how vast or chaotic, is beyond His divine command, as seen in God's rhetorical questions to Job about setting boundaries for the sea in Job 38:8-11.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 107:24, with its declaration of God's "works" and "wonders" in the "deep," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament's portrayal of God's sovereignty over the chaotic sea powerfully foreshadows the divine authority displayed by Jesus. When Jesus commanded the raging wind and waves, declaring, "Peace, be still!" and they instantly obeyed Him (Mark 4:39), He demonstrated that the very "works" and "wonders" of the Father in the "deep" were embodied in Him. His astonished disciples rightly questioned, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" (Mark 4:41). This miraculous moment was a direct, tangible manifestation of the Creator's power dwelling in human flesh. Furthermore, the "works" and "wonders" of the Lord are supremely revealed in Christ's redemptive mission: His countless miracles, His ultimate victory over sin and death through His crucifixion and resurrection, and His ongoing work of salvation in the lives of believers. He is the one through whom all things were created, both in heaven and on earth (Colossians 1:16), and by whom all things are continually upheld by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3). Thus, the mariners' awe-filled observation of God's power in the physical deep points forward to the spiritual deliverance and ultimate dominion of the Lamb of God, who truly takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).