Psalms 107:30

KJV

Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then are they glad {H8055} because they be quiet {H8367}; so he bringeth {H5148} them unto their desired {H2656} haven {H4231}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and they rejoiced as the sea grew calm. Then he brought them safely to their desired port.

Berean Standard Bible

They rejoiced in the silence, and He guided them to the harbor they desired.

American Standard Version

Then are they glad because they are quiet; So he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 107:30 powerfully culminates a narrative of divine rescue, illustrating the profound peace and security that follows God's intervention in the midst of life's most tumultuous storms. It captures the essence of God's faithful providence, bringing those who cry out to Him from chaos and despair to a place of ultimate rest, safety, and fulfillment, evoking a deep sense of gladness and gratitude for His unwavering guidance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the triumphant climax to the fourth major narrative section within Psalm 107, a grand psalm of thanksgiving structured around four distinct groups of people miraculously delivered by God from dire circumstances. Following the wanderers in the wilderness ([Psalm 107:4-9](/psalms/107-4-9 "Psalm 107:4-9 - God Delivers Wanderers")), the prisoners in darkness ([Psalm 107:10-16](/psalms/107-10-16 "Psalm 107:10-16 - God Delivers Prisoners")), and the fools suffering for their sin ([Psalm 107:17-22](/psalms/107-17-22 "Psalm 107:17-22 - God Delivers from Folly")), verses 23-32 focus specifically on mariners caught in a violent tempest. The preceding verses vividly describe their terrifying ordeal: waves mounting to the heavens, souls melting with trouble, staggering like drunkards, and being at their wits' end ([Psalm 107:26-27](/psalms/107-26-27 "Psalm 107:26-27 - Mariners in Distress")). In their desperation, they "cry unto the Lord in their trouble" ([Psalm 107:28](/psalms/107-28 "Psalm 107:28 - Cry to the Lord")), and He responds by stilling the storm, calming the waves, and making the deep quiet ([Psalm 107:29](/psalms/107-29 "Psalm 107:29 - God Stills the Storm")). Verse 30 then describes the immediate, joyous outcome of this miraculous intervention, bringing them to their long-awaited, safe destination, setting the stage for the psalm's repeated call to thanksgiving in [Psalm 107:31-32](/psalms/107-31-32 "Psalm 107:31-32 - Call to Thanksgiving").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Maritime travel in the ancient world, particularly across the Mediterranean Sea, was inherently perilous. Ships were at the mercy of unpredictable winds and sudden storms, with no sophisticated navigation tools beyond rudimentary celestial observation and coastal landmarks. Sailors often hugged coastlines due to these dangers, making the open sea a place of significant fear and vulnerability. Harbors and ports were not merely docking points but vital havens, offering crucial protection, rest, and the promise of safe passage or return. The imagery of a violent storm at sea, followed by a miraculous arrival in a "desired haven," would have resonated deeply with an ancient audience intimately familiar with such dangers and the profound relief of safe arrival. Furthermore, the concept of God's sovereign control over nature (e.g., [Job 38:8-11](/job/38-8-11 "Job 38:8-11 - God's Control Over the Sea") or [Nahum 1:3-4](/nahum/1-3-4 "Nahum 1:3-4 - God's Power Over Nature")) was a fundamental aspect of Israelite theology, powerfully distinguishing Yahweh from pagan deities who were often mere personifications of natural forces, not their masters.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 107:30 powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes central to the psalm and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Deliverance and Providence**, emphasizing God's active, personal, and sovereign intervention in human affairs. It is unequivocally "He" who brings them to safety, underscoring His ultimate control over creation and circumstances, a theme echoed in [Psalm 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God Our Refuge and Strength"). Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **Peace After Turmoil**. The transition from the chaos of the storm to a state of being "quiet" (Hebrew: _shaqat_, implying stillness and rest) vividly portrays the immediate and profound peace God provides, a peace that surpasses understanding as described in [Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God"). Lastly, the "desired haven" embodies the theme of **Ultimate Security and Fulfillment**. This destination symbolizes not just physical safety but a spiritual and existential arrival at a place of rest and purpose, reflecting God's unwavering faithfulness in guiding His people to their ultimate, intended destination, a concept often linked to the promise of rest found in [Hebrews 4](/hebrews/4 "Hebrews 4 - The Promise of Rest").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Glad (Hebrew, _sâmach'_):** This verb (H8055) signifies a profound state of inner joy and outward rejoicing. It means to be blithe, gleesome, or cheerful. In this context, the mariners' gladness is not merely relief but an exuberant, deep-seated joy that arises from their deliverance and the cessation of their terrifying ordeal. It speaks to the emotional culmination of God's saving act.
* **Quiet (Hebrew, _shâthaq'_):** This verb (H8367) denotes a state of subsiding, calming, or ceasing from commotion. It implies the cessation of a disturbance, whether it be the raging of a storm, the tumult of battle, or the noise of a crowd. Here, it refers to the complete cessation of the tempest's fury, bringing a profound sense of stillness and security to the previously terrified mariners.
* **Haven (Hebrew, _mâchôwz'_):** This noun (H4231) specifically refers to a harbor or port, a place of enclosure and protection for ships. It is a designated, secure destination designed to receive vessels after a journey, offering refuge from the open sea. The "desired" aspect (from H2656, _chêphets_, meaning pleasure or desire) emphasizes that this is the very place they longed for, the ultimate goal of their perilous voyage, signifying a place of ultimate safety, rest, and arrival.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then are they glad because they be quiet;":** This clause describes the immediate and profound emotional response of the mariners to the cessation of the storm. Their gladness (Hebrew: _sâmach_, indicating deep joy and rejoicing) is a direct consequence of the quietness—the stillness and calm that God has miraculously brought about. It highlights the causal relationship between divine intervention, the resulting peace, and the human experience of overwhelming joy and relief. The terror and despair of the storm give way to exuberant gratitude and profound inner peace.
* **"so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.":** This clause reveals the ultimate act of God's sovereign deliverance and guidance. The pronoun "he" unequivocally refers to the Lord, emphasizing His active agency and omnipotent power. He doesn't merely calm the storm; He actively guides, leads, and brings the mariners to their destination. The "desired haven" represents not just a physical port but a place of complete security, rest, and fulfillment—the very end goal of their arduous journey. This signifies God's faithfulness in not only rescuing His people from immediate danger but also in leading them to their ultimate, intended place of peace and safety, fulfilling their deepest longings.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. **Metaphor** and **Symbolism** are central, as the literal storm at sea serves as a profound metaphor for the tumultuous trials, dangers, and existential crises encountered in human life. The "desired haven" then symbolizes the ultimate peace, security, and rest found only in God's presence and provision, representing a spiritual destination beyond a mere physical port. The verse also demonstrates clear **Cause and Effect**: the mariners are "glad because they be quiet," directly linking their emotional state to the cessation of the storm and God's intervention. Furthermore, the entire stanza (vv. 23-30) functions as a concise **Narrative Arc** of distress, fervent prayer, divine intervention, and miraculous deliverance, with verse 30 serving as the triumphant climax and resolution of this particular story.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 107:30 profoundly illustrates God's sovereign control over creation and His compassionate, active care for humanity. It underscores the theological truth that God is not a distant, passive deity but an engaged and powerful deliverer who hears the cries of His people and intervenes dynamically to bring them from chaos to calm, from peril to peace. This verse speaks to the ultimate security found in God's providence, reminding believers that even the most overwhelming "storms" of life are subject to His command, and His ultimate purpose is to lead His children to a place of rest and fulfillment. It fosters a deep sense of trust in His unwavering faithfulness and guidance, prompting heartfelt thanksgiving for His steadfast love and powerful hand.

* [Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")
* [Psalm 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God is Our Refuge and Strength")
* [Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Jesus Offers Rest to the Weary")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 107:30 offers immense comfort and profound hope for believers navigating the inevitable "storms" of life, whether they manifest as personal crises, relational turmoil, financial distress, health challenges, or spiritual struggles. It serves as a powerful reminder that when we, like the mariners, find ourselves at our wits' end and cry out to the Lord, He possesses both the power and the compassionate will to respond. He can bring an end to our internal and external turmoil, stilling the waves of anxiety and fear, and guiding us to a place of peace, security, and rest—our "desired haven." This verse encourages us to cultivate a posture of unwavering trust in God's guiding hand, knowing that even through the most turbulent times, His ultimate purpose is to bring us to a safe and joyful destination. It calls us to remember past deliverances, to lean into His sovereignty in present difficulties, and to anticipate His faithful leading to our ultimate, eternal rest, fostering a spirit of continuous thanksgiving for His steadfast love and unfailing presence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "storms" are you currently facing that cause you to feel at your "wits' end" (cf. [Psalm 107:27](/psalms/107-27 "Psalm 107:27 - At Their Wits' End"))?**
* **How does the imagery of God bringing you to a "desired haven" speak to your deepest longings for peace and security?**
* **In what ways have you experienced God's intervention, bringing quietness and gladness after a period of turmoil?**
* **How can remembering God's past faithfulness in bringing you to "haven" strengthen your trust in Him for future challenges?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "desired haven" in this verse?**

Answer: The "desired haven" (Hebrew: _machoz_, H4231) in Psalms 107:30 is profoundly significant. Literally, it refers to a safe port or harbor where ships find refuge after a dangerous voyage. Symbolically, it represents a place of ultimate safety, rest, and fulfillment after a period of intense struggle or peril. It signifies the culmination of God's deliverance, where the chaos of the storm gives way to complete security and peace. The term "desired" (from Hebrew: _chêphets_, H2656) emphasizes that this is the very destination the distressed mariners longed for, highlighting God's faithfulness in not only rescuing them from danger but also in bringing them to their intended and longed-for place of rest. Theologically, it points to God's ultimate provision of peace and security for His people, both in this life and eternally, reflecting His ultimate purpose to bring us to a place of rest in Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 107:30 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is our true and eternal "desired haven." Just as the Lord stilled the literal storm for the mariners, Jesus, as God incarnate, demonstrated His sovereign power over creation by commanding the winds and waves to be still, bringing immediate calm to His terrified disciples (cf. [Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")). More profoundly, Jesus offers a spiritual haven from the storms of sin, guilt, and existential turmoil. He is the one who invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him, promising to give them rest (cf. [Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Jesus Offers Rest to the Weary")). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross and His glorious resurrection, Christ has conquered the ultimate storms of death and judgment, opening the way for us to enter into God's presence, the ultimate safe harbor. He is not merely a guide to the haven, but the very "way, the truth, and the life" (cf. [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life")) who brings us into eternal security. Our final, desired haven is not a geographical location, but a relationship with God, secured and sustained by our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have access to "perfect peace" (cf. [Isaiah 26:3](/isaiah/26-3 "Isaiah 26:3 - Perfect Peace")) and the promise of eternal rest in the new heavens and new earth (cf. [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heaven and New Earth")).

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

John 6:21

Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.