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Study this verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Psalms 107:23–32. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
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.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
..."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.
[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.’
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Summary
Psalm 107:25 eloquently declares God's absolute and active sovereignty over the natural world, specifically highlighting His masterful control over the most formidable and chaotic elements of the sea. This verse, deeply embedded within a larger narrative of divine deliverance, vividly portrays the Creator's direct command over the "stormy wind" and the "waves thereof," underscoring that even the most overwhelming forces of nature are entirely subject to His authoritative will. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's omnipotence and His intimate, intentional involvement in the affairs of creation.
Context
Literary Context
Psalm 107 is a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving, structured around a recurring refrain that celebrates God's deliverance of various groups from distress. Verses 23-32 specifically focus on mariners, those who "go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters". These seafarers, witnessing God's "works in the deep," encounter perilous storms. Psalm 107:25 directly explains the origin of their distress: it is God Himself who commands and raises the tempest. The subsequent verses describe their desperate plight—their souls melting because of trouble, reeling and staggering like drunken men, and being at their wits' end, as seen in Psalm 107:26-27. It is only after they "cry unto the LORD in their trouble" that He delivers them, bringing them to their desired haven, as promised in Psalm 107:30. Thus, verse 25 is crucial in establishing God as the initiator of the storm, thereby setting the stage for His subsequent role as the mighty deliverer.
Historical & Cultural Context
For ancient peoples, the sea was often viewed with a profound mixture of awe and dread. It was a vast, unpredictable, and frequently dangerous realm, symbolizing chaos and untamed power. Unlike the fertile land, which could be cultivated and controlled, the deep sea represented the unknown and forces beyond human mastery. Seafaring was a perilous occupation, subject to sudden, violent storms that could capsize vessels and claim lives without warning. In the ancient Near East, control over the sea was often attributed to various deities, such as Baal or Yam, but the biblical narrative consistently asserts that Yahweh alone holds ultimate dominion over the waters. This perspective contrasts sharply with pagan mythologies where sea deities were often capricious and powerful, but not supreme. The psalmist's declaration in Psalm 107:25 firmly places the God of Israel above all such forces, demonstrating His unique, unchallenged authority over creation.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 107 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores God's absolute sovereignty over nature, asserting that even the most formidable and chaotic natural phenomena—the "stormy wind" and "waves"—are directly subject to His command. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, affirming God's power as the ultimate orchestrator of the universe, from the initial creation in Genesis 1 to the calming of the storm by Jesus in Mark 4:39. Secondly, it highlights divine command and action, emphasizing that God is not a distant observer but an active, hands-on ruler who directly intervenes in the world. The language of "commandeth" and "raiseth" signifies intentional, authoritative action, demonstrating His immanence. Lastly, the verse reinforces the theme of human helplessness and divine deliverance. By showing that God initiates the very distress that overwhelms humanity, the psalmist magnifies God's glory when He subsequently delivers them, demonstrating that only the One who commands the storm can also calm it and bring salvation.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This primitive root means "to say" but is used with great latitude, encompassing concepts like "to appoint," "to bid," "to charge," and crucially, "to command." In the context of divine action, ʼâmar signifies an authoritative utterance, a decree that brings about a direct and irresistible effect. When God "commands" the wind, it is not a mere suggestion but an effective and powerful word that immediately initiates the storm, highlighting His absolute authority over creation.
This phrase combines çaʻar (H5591), meaning "hurricane," "tempest," or "whirlwind," with rûwach (H7307), which denotes "wind" but can also mean "spirit" or "breath." The combination vividly portrays a wind of immense, destructive force—a raging tempest that churns the sea. It evokes a sense of overwhelming power and chaos from a human perspective, yet the psalmist immediately attributes its origin and control to God, emphasizing His mastery over even the most terrifying natural phenomena.
This primitive root means "to be high actively," "to rise," or "to raise" in various applications, both literal and figurative. In the context of the sea, it implies that God actively causes the waves to swell and surge to great heights. This is not a passive observation of natural processes but a direct, causative action on God's part, further emphasizing His hands-on involvement and comprehensive control over the very motion and intensity of the sea.
Verse Breakdown
"For he commandeth,"
This opening clause unequivocally establishes the divine agent, "he" referring to the LORD (Yahweh), and the nature of His action. The verb "commandeth" (from H559, ʼâmar) signifies an authoritative, direct, and intentional decree. It sets the stage for the subsequent actions, making it clear that the ensuing natural phenomena are not random occurrences but the direct and deliberate result of God's sovereign will and powerful word.
"and raiseth the stormy wind,"
Following the initial command, God actively "raiseth" (from H5975, ʻâmad, meaning "to cause to stand" or "to raise up") the "stormy wind" (H5591, çaʻar, and H7307, rûwach). This clause identifies the first manifestation of God's command: a violent, tempestuous wind. The use of "raiseth" emphasizes God's direct and causative role in initiating the storm, not merely allowing it to happen but actively bringing it into being with intentionality and power.
"which lifteth up the waves thereof."
This final clause describes the immediate and dramatic consequence of the stormy wind: it "lifteth up" (H7311, rûwm, meaning "to raise" or "to cause to be high") the "waves thereof" (H1530, gal, meaning "wave" or "billow"). The wind's power, directed by God, causes the sea's waves to swell and rise dramatically. This paints a vivid picture of a turbulent, dangerous sea, directly linking the chaotic motion of the waters to the divine command that initiated the wind, thus completing the portrayal of God's comprehensive and active control over the entire tempest.
Literary Devices
Psalm 107:25 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is Anthropomorphism, where God is described using human-like actions and attributes—He "commandeth" and "raiseth" the wind, as if a human agent. This device makes God's actions relatable and emphasizes His active, personal involvement, rather than portraying a distant, abstract deity. There is also a strong element of Imagery, as the verse paints a vivid picture of a turbulent sea, with "stormy wind" and "lifteth up the waves thereof," appealing directly to the reader's senses and imagination to convey the immense power and peril of the scene. The structure of the verse also demonstrates a clear Cause and Effect relationship, where God's command is the direct cause, and the rising wind and waves are the immediate effects, highlighting the directness and efficacy of divine power. Furthermore, the verse uses a subtle form of Hyperbole in its description of the storm's intensity, emphasizing the extreme nature of the wind and waves to underscore the magnitude of God's control over forces that would otherwise overwhelm humanity.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Psalm 107:25 is a cornerstone verse for understanding God's absolute sovereignty over creation, particularly His dominion over the forces of nature. It asserts that even the most chaotic and destructive elements, like a raging storm at sea, are not random occurrences but are directly initiated and controlled by the divine will. This theological truth provides a profound sense of security for believers, knowing that no circumstance, however overwhelming, is outside of God's ultimate command. It challenges any notion of a deistic God who merely sets the world in motion and then withdraws, instead presenting an immanent and active deity who orchestrates even the tempest for His purposes, often to reveal His power and to prompt humanity to seek His deliverance. This divine control over creation is a consistent theme throughout Scripture, reinforcing God's unique status as the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
Reflection and Application
Psalm 107:25 offers profound comfort and a powerful call to trust in the midst of life's "storms." Just as the ancient mariners faced literal tempests, we too encounter metaphorical storms—personal crises, global uncertainties, relational conflicts, or overwhelming challenges that threaten to capsize our sense of security. This verse reminds us that nothing, absolutely nothing, is outside of God's sovereign control. He is not merely observing our struggles from a distance; He is the One who "commandeth" and "raiseth" the very winds and waves that buffet us. This truth means that even in the most chaotic and seemingly uncontrollable situations, God has a purpose and remains fully in charge. Our response, like the mariners, should be to cry out to Him, knowing that the One who commands the storm is also the One who can bring us to a "desired haven." It cultivates a deep, abiding trust that God is not only powerful enough to calm our external circumstances but also sovereign enough to use them for our ultimate good and His glory, shaping our character and deepening our reliance on Him.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does this verse imply that God causes all suffering or natural disasters?
Psalm 107:25 specifically states that God "commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind," indicating His direct agency in this particular instance of a storm at sea. The Bible consistently affirms God's ultimate sovereignty over all creation, including natural phenomena. While it doesn't mean God is the direct cause of every single instance of suffering or disaster in a simplistic, deterministic sense, it does assert that nothing happens outside of His knowledge, permission, or ultimate sovereign plan. God can use natural events, including storms, for various purposes: to demonstrate His power (as seen in Job 38), to call people to repentance, to test faith, or to reveal His deliverance. It emphasizes that even in chaos, God remains in control, working all things according to His wise and holy will, even if His reasons are not always immediately apparent to us.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Psalm 107:25 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament's declaration of God's dominion over the elements is not merely a theological concept but a powerful foreshadowing of the incarnate God. When Jesus, in the New Testament, stands in a boat amidst a raging storm on the Sea of Galilee and simply commands, "Peace, be still!", and the wind ceases and there is a great calm, He is demonstrating the very divine authority attributed to Yahweh in Psalm 107:25. His disciples' astonished question, "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?", reveals their recognition that only God possesses such power. This event confirms Jesus' deity, showing Him to be the embodiment of the Creator who "commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind." Furthermore, Christ's sovereignty extends beyond natural forces to the spiritual realm, where He commands demons (Mark 1:27) and ultimately has authority over sin and death, offering peace that transcends all earthly storms (John 14:27). Thus, Psalm 107:25 points us to the Lord Jesus Christ, the sovereign King who not only controls the physical storms but also offers ultimate deliverance and peace in the midst of life's deepest spiritual tempests.