Psalms 107:25

KJV

For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

KJV (with Strong's)

For he commandeth {H559}, and raiseth {H5975} the stormy {H5591} wind {H7307}, which lifteth up {H7311} the waves {H1530} thereof.

Complete Jewish Bible

For at his word the storm-wind arose, lifting up towering waves.

Berean Standard Bible

For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea.

American Standard Version

For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, Which lifteth up the waves thereof.

Commentary

### 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](/psalms/107-23 "Psalm 107:23 - Mariners on the Sea")". These seafarers, witnessing God's "works in the deep," encounter perilous storms. [Psalm 107:25](/psalms/107-25 "Psalm 107:25 - God's Command Over the Storm") 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](/psalms/107-26-27 "Psalm 107:26-27 - Mariners in Distress"). It is only after they "[cry unto the LORD in their trouble](/psalms/107-28 "Psalm 107:28 - Crying Out to the Lord")" that He delivers them, bringing them to their desired haven, as promised in [Psalm 107:30](/psalms/107-30 "Psalm 107:30 - Reaching the Desired Haven"). 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](/psalms/107-25 "Psalm 107:25 - God's Command Over the Storm") 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](/psalms/107 "Psalm 107 - God's Enduring Love") 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](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") to the calming of the storm by Jesus in [Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm"). 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
* **Commandeth (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** (H559) 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.
* **Stormy Wind (Hebrew, _çaʻar rûwach'_):: (H5591, H7307) 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.
* **Lifteth up (Hebrew, _rûwm'_):** (H7311) 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.

* [Psalm 89:9](/psalms/89-9 "Psalm 89:9 - God Rules the Raging Sea")
* [Job 38:8-11](/job/38-8-11 "Job 38:8-11 - God's Control Over the Sea")
* [Nahum 1:3](/nahum/1-3 "Nahum 1:3 - The Lord's Power in the Storm")

### 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
* **How does knowing that God commands the "stormy wind" impact your perspective on personal or global crises you are currently facing?**
* **In what ways might God use difficult or chaotic circumstances in your life to draw you closer to Him or reveal His power?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the nature of God's sovereignty, and how does that encourage you to trust Him more fully?**
* **How can the example of the mariners in Psalm 107, crying out to the Lord in their trouble, inform your own prayer life during times of distress?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse imply that God causes all suffering or natural disasters?**

Answer: 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](/job/38 "Job 38 - God's Power and Wisdom")), 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!](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")", and the wind ceases and there is a great calm, He is demonstrating the very divine authority attributed to Yahweh in [Psalm 107:25](/psalms/107-25 "Psalm 107:25 - God's Command Over the Storm"). His disciples' astonished question, "[What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?](/matthew/8-27 "Matthew 8:27 - Disciples' Astonishment at Jesus' Power")", 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](/mark/1-27 "Mark 1:27 - Jesus Commands Unclean Spirits")) and ultimately has authority over sin and death, offering peace that transcends all earthly storms ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Jesus Gives Peace")). Thus, [Psalm 107:25](/psalms/107-25 "Psalm 107:25 - God's Command Over the Storm") 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.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jonah 1:4

¶ But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.

Matthew 8:24

And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

Psalms 148:8

Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:

Psalms 93:3

The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.

Psalms 105:34

He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number,

Psalms 135:7

He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.

John 6:18

And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.