TRV
Translation
King James Version
Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
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.
World English Bible Messianic
Then they are glad because it is calm, so he brings them to their desired haven.
Geneva Bible (1599)
When they are quieted, they are glad, and hee bringeth them vnto the hauen, where they would be.
Young's Literal Translation
And they rejoice because they are quiet, And He leadeth them to the haven of their desire.
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Commentary on Psalms 107 verses 23–32
23 ¶ They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.
25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.
28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
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.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 23–32. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 107
..."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.
Desert FathersAD 500
The Desert Fathers, Sayings of the Early Christian Monks
[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.’
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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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
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
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.
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
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 (Mark 4:39). 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 (Matthew 11:28). 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" (John 14:6) 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" (Isaiah 26:3) and the promise of eternal rest in the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1-4).