Psalms 107:26

KJV

They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.

KJV (with Strong's)

They mount up {H5927} to the heaven {H8064}, they go down {H3381} again to the depths {H8415}: their soul {H5315} is melted {H4127} because of trouble {H7451}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The sailors were raised up to the sky, then plunged into the depths. At the danger, their courage failed them,

Berean Standard Bible

They mounted up to the heavens, then sunk to the depths; their courage melted in their anguish.

American Standard Version

They mount up to the heavens, they go down again to the depths: Their soul melteth away because of trouble.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 107:26 graphically depicts the extreme terror and profound despair experienced by mariners caught in a violent tempest. The vivid imagery of ships being violently tossed "up to the heaven" and "down again to the depths" powerfully conveys the overwhelming and disorienting peril, while the phrase "their soul is melted because of trouble" poignantly expresses the complete psychological and spiritual collapse that accompanies such an ordeal, highlighting humanity's utter helplessness in the face of nature's fury.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 107 is a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving, structured around four distinct stanzas, each detailing a specific group of people delivered by God from a particular distress, followed by their cry to the Lord and His subsequent intervention. This verse belongs to the fourth stanza (verses 23-32), which focuses on "those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters." The preceding verses (23-25) set the scene, describing how God "commands and raises the stormy wind," causing the waves to rise. Verse 26 marks the absolute climax of the storm's intensity and the sailors' terror, portraying their ultimate helplessness just before they "cry out to the Lord in their trouble" in [Psalms 107:28](/psalms/107-28 "Psalms 107:28 - Crying Out to the Lord in Distress"), setting the stage for God's dramatic intervention and the subsequent calm. The entire psalm serves to magnify God's steadfast love and wondrous works, particularly His power over creation and His responsiveness to His people's cries.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Sea travel in the ancient Near East, particularly on the Mediterranean, was inherently perilous. Mariners were acutely aware of the unpredictable and often violent nature of the sea, which was frequently associated with chaos and untamed forces in ancient cosmologies. For the Israelites, the sea often symbolized the realm beyond human control, a place where only divine power could truly operate. Stories of great storms and shipwrecks were common, reflecting the real dangers faced by those who ventured onto the water for trade or travel. This context amplifies the terror described in the verse, as the sailors are depicted as utterly at the mercy of forces far beyond their capability to manage. The imagery would have resonated deeply with an audience familiar with the vulnerability of small vessels against the vast, powerful ocean, underscoring the extraordinary nature of God's dominion over such forces, as seen in [Psalm 89:9](/psalms/89-9 "Psalm 89:9 - God's Dominion Over the Sea").

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Psalm 107 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Extreme Peril and Helplessness**, vividly portraying human vulnerability when confronted with overwhelming natural forces. The hyperbolic language of ascending to "heaven" and descending to the "depths" effectively communicates the disorienting and life-threatening experience of a ship in a storm, emphasizing that human strength and skill are utterly insufficient. Secondly, it highlights **Profound Despair**, as "their soul is melted because of trouble" conveys a complete emotional and spiritual collapse. This phrase signifies a loss of all courage, fortitude, and hope, a common biblical description of overwhelming fear and distress, as seen when the hearts of the Canaanites "melted" before Israel in [Joshua 2:11](/joshua/2-11 "Joshua 2:11 - Rahab's Fear and Melting Hearts"). Finally, and most significantly, this verse serves to **Set the Stage for Divine Intervention**. By depicting humanity at its absolute limit, it magnifies the power and mercy of God. It is precisely when all human hope is lost that God's deliverance becomes most evident and glorious, showcasing His absolute [sovereignty over creation](/psalms/29 "Psalm 29 - The Voice of the Lord") and His compassionate response to the cries of His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heaven (שָׁמַיִם, _šāmayim_):** Refers to the sky or heavens. In this context, it is used hyperbolically to describe the extreme height to which the ship is tossed on the crest of a massive wave, emphasizing the dizzying and terrifying ascent.
* **Depths (תְּהוֹמוֹת, _təhômōṯ_):** Plural of _təhôm_, meaning "deep" or "abyss." This word often carries connotations of primeval chaos, the deep waters from which creation emerged, or the watery underworld. Here, it vividly portrays the terrifying plunge of the ship into the trough between colossal waves, suggesting an almost descent into the chaotic void.
* **Melted (מָגוֹג, _māgōg_):** This verb signifies to dissolve, waste away, or become fluid. When applied to the "soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, _nephesh_ – often referring to the whole person, their life-force, or inner being), it powerfully illustrates a complete disintegration of courage, inner strength, and resolve under overwhelming pressure. It's a vivid metaphor for utter psychological and spiritual collapse, not a literal physical melting.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They mount up to the heaven":** This clause vividly describes the ship being lifted to an extraordinary height by a towering wave. The imagery is hyperbolic, emphasizing the immense scale and violent force of the storm. It conveys a sense of being thrown upward, out of control, and precariously balanced at a terrifying apex.
* **"they go down again to the depths":** Following the ascent, this clause depicts the equally terrifying plunge of the ship into the deep trough of the waves. The descent into the "depths" evokes a sense of falling into an abyss, a dark and chaotic void, underscoring the disorienting and life-threatening nature of the experience. The rapid alternation between ascent and descent highlights the violent, uncontrollable tossing of the vessel.
* **"their soul is melted because of trouble":** This final clause shifts from the physical experience of the storm to its profound psychological and spiritual impact on the sailors. "Their soul" (their very being, their courage, their life-force) is described as "melted," a powerful metaphor for complete emotional and spiritual collapse. The "trouble" (צָרָה, _tsarah_, meaning distress, anguish, adversity) has utterly overwhelmed them, stripping away all fortitude, hope, and the will to resist. They are utterly undone and without strength.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 107:26 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey the intensity of the storm and the sailors' despair. **Hyperbole** is evident in the phrases "mount up to the heaven" and "go down again to the depths," exaggerating the ship's movement to emphasize the extreme, dizzying, and terrifying nature of the waves. This creates a vivid mental image of being utterly at the mercy of the elements. **Antithetical Parallelism** is present in the contrasting actions of "mounting up" and "going down," which highlights the violent, seesaw motion of the ship and the disorienting experience. The phrase "their soul is melted" is a potent **Metaphor**, comparing the disintegration of courage and inner strength to a solid substance turning to liquid. This effectively communicates the profound psychological and spiritual collapse of the sailors. The entire verse is rich in **Imagery**, painting a sensory picture of the violent sea and the internal emotional turmoil, allowing the reader to viscerally experience the terror and helplessness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 107:26 serves as a profound theological statement on human vulnerability and the absolute sovereignty of God. It illustrates that there are moments in life, whether literal storms or figurative crises, where human strength, skill, and hope are utterly exhausted. In these "depths" of despair, when our "soul is melted," the verse sets the stage for the revelation of God's unparalleled power and compassion. It underscores that God often allows circumstances to reach an extreme point of human helplessness so that His deliverance might be undeniably evident, showcasing His control over all creation—even the most chaotic forces—and His attentiveness to the cries of His people. This dynamic teaches us that true security and ultimate deliverance are found not in our own capabilities, but in humble reliance on the Almighty.

* [Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm"): Jesus demonstrates divine authority over the very forces of nature described in Psalm 107, speaking peace to the storm.
* [Jonah 2:2-7](/jonah/2-2 "Jonah 2:2-7 - Jonah's Prayer from the Fish's Belly"): Jonah's prayer from the "belly of Sheol" echoes the experience of being in the "depths" and crying out to God from utter despair.
* [Psalm 42:7](/psalms/42-7 "Psalm 42:7 - Deep Calls to Deep"): This verse, "Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me," similarly expresses being overwhelmed by waves of trouble, resonating with the imagery of Psalm 107:26.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The vivid portrayal of the storm and the sailors' despair in Psalms 107:26 offers a powerful mirror for our own experiences of overwhelming trouble. Life inevitably brings its own "storms"—be they financial ruin, relational breakdown, severe illness, grief, or spiritual crisis—that can feel as disorienting and terrifying as a ship tossed between heaven and the depths. This verse validates the very human experience of fear, disorientation, and profound despair, acknowledging that there are moments when our "soul is melted," when we feel utterly helpless and without hope. It reminds us that such feelings are not a sign of spiritual failure but a natural response to overwhelming circumstances. Crucially, the placement of this verse within Psalm 107 offers a profound message of hope: it is precisely at this point of utter human extremity that God's intervention is most powerfully revealed. The subsequent verses show that when these desperate souls cried out to the Lord, He heard them and delivered them. Thus, Psalms 107:26 encourages us to acknowledge our helplessness, to lean into the discomfort of our despair, and then, most importantly, to turn to God in our time of greatest need, trusting in His sovereign power to bring calm to our storms and restore our souls.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "storms" in your life that cause your "soul to melt" and make you feel utterly helpless?**
* **How does acknowledging your complete vulnerability in such moments prepare you to truly rely on God?**
* **In what ways have you experienced God's intervention or peace when you felt you had reached your absolute limit?**
* **How can the imagery of "mounting up to heaven" and "going down to the depths" help you articulate your own feelings of disorientation during times of crisis?**

### FAQ
**How does this verse relate to the broader message of Psalm 107?**

Answer: Psalms 107:26 is a pivotal verse within Psalm 107, serving as the dramatic climax of distress for the fourth group of people described—those who travel by sea. The psalm's overarching message is one of thanksgiving for God's steadfast love and wondrous works in delivering various groups from their specific troubles. This verse portrays the ultimate human extremity and despair faced by the mariners, emphasizing their complete helplessness. By vividly depicting this dire situation, it magnifies the power and mercy of God, who, in the very next verses ([Psalms 107:28-30](/psalms/107-28 "Psalms 107:28-30 - God Calms the Storm")), responds to their desperate cry, stills the storm, and brings them safely to their desired haven. Thus, the verse highlights the depth of human need, making God's subsequent deliverance all the more glorious and underscoring the psalm's central theme: that God hears and delivers those who cry out to Him in their distress.

**Is "their soul is melted" a literal description?**

Answer: No, "their soul is melted" is not a literal description of a physical process but a powerful and vivid **metaphor** for profound psychological and spiritual collapse. The Hebrew word for "melted" (מָגוֹג, *māgōg*) implies dissolving or wasting away. When applied to the "soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, *nephesh*, which encompasses one's life-force, inner being, courage, and vitality), it conveys a complete loss of fortitude, courage, and hope in the face of overwhelming trouble. It signifies that the individuals are utterly undone by their circumstances, their inner strength having completely dissolved. This imagery effectively communicates the overwhelming fear and despair that strips a person of their will and ability to cope, a common biblical expression for extreme distress, as seen in other passages like [Joshua 7:5](/joshua/7-5 "Joshua 7:5 - Hearts Melting with Fear").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 107:26, with its vivid depiction of human helplessness in the face of overwhelming chaos and the "melting" of the soul, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. He is the one who perfectly embodies the divine sovereignty over the very forces of nature that terrify humanity. When His disciples faced a furious storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus simply "rebuked the wind and said to the sea, 'Peace! Be still!'" and immediately "the wind ceased, and there was a great calm" ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")). This act demonstrates His absolute authority over the "heaven" and "depths" that tossed the sailors in Psalm 107, revealing Him as the Lord of creation, greater than any storm. Furthermore, Jesus Himself experienced a "melting of soul" far deeper than any mariner's despair. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He confessed, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death" ([Matthew 26:38](/matthew/26-38 "Matthew 26:38 - Jesus' Anguish in Gethsemane")), as He contemplated bearing the full weight of humanity's sin and the wrath of God. His cry from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), represents the ultimate descent into the "depths" of spiritual abandonment and trouble, so that those whose souls are melted by sin and suffering might find deliverance. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus conquered the ultimate "depths" of death and despair, offering true peace and an anchor for the soul that is steadfast and sure, even in the most violent storms of life ([Hebrews 6:19](/hebrews/6-19 "Hebrews 6:19 - Hope as an Anchor for the Soul")). He is the one who brings us safely to our desired haven, not merely from physical storms, but from the spiritual chaos of a fallen world, offering His perfect peace that "surpasses all understanding" ([Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God")).

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

Psalms 22:14

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.

Psalms 119:28

¶ My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

Isaiah 13:7

Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:

2 Samuel 17:10

And he also [that is] valiant, whose heart [is] as the heart of a lion, shall utterly melt: for all Israel knoweth that thy father [is] a mighty man, and [they] which [be] with him [are] valiant men.

Nahum 2:10

She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain [is] in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness.