Psalms 107:29

KJV

He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

KJV (with Strong's)

He maketh {H6965} the storm {H5591} a calm {H1827}, so that the waves {H1530} thereof are still {H2814}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He silenced the storm and stilled its waves,

Berean Standard Bible

He calmed the storm to a whisper, and the waves of the sea were hushed.

American Standard Version

He maketh the storm a calm, So that the waves thereof are still.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 107:29 is a profound declaration of God's absolute sovereignty over the natural world, specifically His power to transform tumultuous chaos into serene tranquility. This verse, emerging from a narrative of desperate mariners facing a life-threatening storm, highlights the Lord's immediate and powerful response to human distress, demonstrating His omnipotence and His compassionate intervention to bring stillness and peace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 107 is a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving, structured around four distinct groups of people whom the Lord delivers from various forms of distress: wanderers in the wilderness (vv. 4-9), prisoners (vv. 10-16), the sick (vv. 17-22), and finally, mariners at sea (vv. 23-32). Each segment follows a pattern: distress, crying out to the Lord, divine deliverance, and a call to give thanks. Verses [Psalms 107:23-28](/psalms/107-23 "Psalms 107:23-28 - Mariners in Distress") specifically depict sailors caught in a terrifying tempest, their ships tossed by mighty waves, their souls melting because of trouble. They are brought to their "wits' end" (v. 27), and in their utter desperation, they "[cry unto the Lord in their trouble](/psalms/107-28 "Psalms 107:28 - Crying to the Lord") (v. 28). Verse 29 is God's immediate, powerful, and compassionate response to this desperate plea, showcasing His direct intervention to rescue those who trust in Him. The psalm then culminates in a renewed call for thanksgiving and reflection on God's goodness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the sea was often viewed as a chaotic, untamable, and even dangerous realm, frequently associated with primordial forces of chaos that only a deity could control. Seafaring was perilous, and storms were a common, life-threatening reality for mariners. The ability to command the winds and waves was considered a hallmark of divine power, distinguishing the true God from impotent idols. For the Israelites, who were not primarily a seafaring nation, the sea often symbolized the unknown, the uncontrollable, and the depths of human despair. Thus, God's mastery over the tempest, as depicted in this psalm, would have resonated deeply, affirming His unique omnipotence and His benevolent care for His people, even in the most extreme and terrifying circumstances. This understanding also contrasts with pagan deities, whose powers were often limited or capricious, whereas the God of Israel demonstrates absolute, purposeful control.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 107:29 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully asserts **God's Sovereignty Over Creation**. The declaration that "He maketh the storm a calm" unequivocally establishes the Lord's ultimate authority and omnipotence over the natural world, from the most violent tempest to the smallest ripple. This underscores that all creation is subject to His command, a theme echoed from [the very beginning of creation](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account"). Secondly, it highlights **Divine Deliverance and Intervention**. The verse is a direct answer to the mariners' cry, illustrating God's readiness and ability to intervene decisively on behalf of those who call upon Him in distress. Just as He stills the literal storm, He is depicted as one who can bring peace and resolution to life's figurative storms and crises, demonstrating His active and compassionate care for His people, as seen repeatedly throughout the [book of Psalms](/psalms "The Book of Psalms"). Finally, the imagery of "the waves thereof are still" conveys a profound sense of **Peace Amidst Chaos**. This theme offers immense comfort and assurance, proclaiming that even in the most chaotic, overwhelming, and seemingly uncontrollable situations, God can bring absolute stillness, tranquility, and rest, a peace that transcends human understanding.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Calm (Hebrew, _dĕmamah'_):** This noun (דְּמָמָה) signifies a deep stillness, quietness, or silence. It denotes not merely a reduction in intensity but a complete cessation of noise and motion, a profound tranquility. It is used elsewhere to describe the quietness of a desert (Job 4:16) or the stillness of the grave (Psalm 94:17). In Psalms 107:29, its application to a storm emphasizes the supernatural and absolute nature of God's command, transforming violent chaos into perfect serenity.
* **Still (Hebrew, _chashah'_):** This verb (חָשָׁה) means "to be silent," "to be quiet," or "to cease from motion." It often implies a cessation of activity or speech, a state of quietude. When applied to the waves, it powerfully conveys the immediate and total obedience of the natural elements to God's word. The waves, which moments before were raging and threatening, instantly become motionless and silent, testifying to the irresistible power of the divine command.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He maketh the storm a calm":** This opening clause immediately establishes the Lord as the singular, active agent of transformation. The pronoun "He" refers directly to Yahweh, the God of Israel, whose power is absolute and unrivaled. The "storm" (סַעַר, _sa'ar_, often denoting a tempest or whirlwind) is depicted as a force of nature that God, and God alone, can command and change. The verb "maketh" (וַיָּקֶם, _wayyaqem_, from קוּם, _qum_, "to arise," "to establish," or "to cause to stand") here implies bringing into being or establishing a state. Thus, God actively causes the storm to transition from its violent state into one of profound "calm" (_dĕmamah_), demonstrating His immediate and decisive control over the most formidable natural phenomena.
* **"so that the waves thereof are still":** This second clause functions as a direct consequence and vivid illustration of the first. The "waves" (גַּלִּים, _gallim_) are the tangible manifestation of the storm's fury. The phrase "thereof" links the waves directly to the now-calmed storm. The verb "are still" (_chashah_) emphasizes the complete and instantaneous cessation of their tumultuous motion. This imagery paints a picture of absolute tranquility, where the very elements that threatened destruction are rendered motionless and silent by divine decree. It underscores the thoroughness of God's intervention, leaving no trace of the previous chaos.

#### Literary Devices
The profound impact of Psalms 107:29 is amplified through its masterful use of several **literary devices**. The most prominent is vivid **Imagery**, particularly the stark contrast between the raging "storm" and the ensuing "calm," and the turbulent "waves" that become "still." This creates a powerful mental picture of divine control transforming chaos into order. The verse also employs **Metaphor**, as the literal storm and waves can be understood as symbolic representations of the overwhelming troubles, crises, and anxieties that individuals face in life. God's ability to still the physical tempest thus serves as a metaphor for His capacity to bring peace and resolution to spiritual and emotional turmoil. While not explicit personification, there is a subtle sense in which the storm and waves are presented as entities that obey a divine command, almost as if they possess a will that is subjugated. Finally, the two clauses exhibit a form of **consequential parallelism**, where the second clause ("so that the waves thereof are still") directly illustrates and confirms the action described in the first ("He maketh the storm a calm"), reinforcing the completeness and efficacy of God's power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 107:29 stands as a powerful testament to the absolute sovereignty of God over all creation, a theological truth foundational to the biblical worldview. It underscores His omnipotence, demonstrating that no force, however overwhelming, lies beyond His command. This divine control is not merely an abstract power but is exercised with compassionate intent, responding to the desperate cries of His people. The stillness God brings is not just an absence of chaos, but the active establishment of His divine order and peace (shalom). This verse reminds us that the same God who spoke the cosmos into existence and controls the elements is intimately involved in the lives of His creation, capable of bringing tranquility to the most turbulent circumstances, both literal and figurative.

* [Job 38:8-11](/job/38-8 "Job 38:8-11 - God's Control Over the Sea") - God's rhetorical questions to Job about who shut up the sea with doors, demonstrating His ultimate control over its boundaries.
* [Nahum 1:3](/nahum/1-3 "Nahum 1:3 - God's Power in the Storm") - Describes the Lord's power, stating "the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet."
* [Psalm 65:7](/psalms/65-7 "Psalm 65:7 - God Stills the Tumult") - "Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For contemporary believers, Psalms 107:29 offers immense spiritual nourishment and practical guidance. In a world often characterized by uncertainty, anxiety, and personal trials that can feel as overwhelming as a raging tempest, this verse serves as a profound reminder that our God remains sovereign and omnipotent. It invites us to bring our fears, anxieties, and chaotic situations—whether they be relational conflicts, financial distress, health crises, or spiritual struggles—to Him in prayer. The assurance that "He maketh the storm a calm" encourages a deep reliance on God's active intervention and His capacity to bring stillness and peace into our lives, even when external circumstances remain turbulent. This passage cultivates a posture of trust, reminding us that true peace is found not in the absence of storms, but in the presence and power of the One who commands them. It calls us to rest in His unfailing control, knowing that His peace, which transcends all understanding, is available to quiet the most turbulent "waves" we encounter.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "storms" are you currently facing in your life that feel beyond your control?**
* **How does the truth of God's sovereignty over creation in Psalms 107:29 encourage you to pray differently about your circumstances?**
* **In what ways can you actively cultivate a deeper trust in God's ability to bring calm and stillness to your inner life, even if the external storm persists?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean God will always remove my personal difficulties?**

Answer: While Psalms 107:29 powerfully illustrates God's ability to intervene and bring literal calm, its primary application for believers often extends to spiritual and emotional peace amidst life's challenges. God's sovereignty means He *can* remove difficulties, but He doesn't always do so according to our expectations. Sometimes, He brings an inner "calm" to our hearts and minds, enabling us to navigate the storm with His peace, rather than removing the storm itself. The key takeaway is His active presence and power in our distress, whether through immediate deliverance or through sustaining grace that allows us to find stillness even within turbulence, as promised in [Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God").

**How does God "make the storm a calm" today?**

Answer: God can still calm literal storms, as He is unchanging in His power. However, in our daily lives, He often brings calm through various means: by granting us inner peace that transcends understanding ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Jesus Gives Peace")), by providing wisdom and guidance to navigate difficult situations, by sending supportive people, or by simply reminding us of His presence and control through His Word. His calming presence might manifest as a sudden clarity, a deep sense of assurance, or the ability to rest in His providence, even when circumstances remain challenging. The ultimate calm is found in resting in His sovereign will.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 107:29 finds its most profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth. The Old Testament accounts of Yahweh's power over the elements are not merely historical anecdotes but prophetic foreshadowings of the divine authority embodied in Christ. When Jesus, in the New Testament, stands in a boat amidst a raging tempest and commands, "Peace, be still!" ([Mark 4:39](/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 same divine power attributed to God in Psalms 107:29. 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 "Matthew 8:27 - Disciples' Amazement")), points directly to His deity. Beyond His physical mastery over creation, Jesus is also the ultimate source of spiritual calm and peace. He offers a peace "not as the world gives" ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Jesus' Gift of Peace")), a peace that quiets the storms of sin, guilt, fear, and death. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection, He has overcome the ultimate chaos of sin, offering reconciliation with God and the promise of eternal rest ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ's Blood")). Thus, the God who stills the literal storm in Psalms 107:29 is fully revealed in Jesus, who brings ultimate calm to the human soul and to all creation.

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 65:7

Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.

Matthew 8:26

And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

Luke 8:23

But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled [with water], and were in jeopardy.

Luke 8:25

And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

Psalms 89:9

Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.

Mark 4:39

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Mark 4:41

And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?