Psalms 33:7

KJV

He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.

KJV (with Strong's)

He gathereth {H3664} the waters {H4325} of the sea {H3220} together as an heap {H5067}: he layeth up {H5414} the depth {H8415} in storehouses {H214}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He collects the sea waters together in a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses.

Berean Standard Bible

He piles up the waters of the sea; He puts the depths into storehouses.

American Standard Version

He gathereth the waters of the sea together as a heap: He layeth up the deeps in store-houses.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 33:7 powerfully proclaims God's absolute and meticulous sovereignty over the natural world, particularly the vast and formidable oceans. It presents a vivid image of the Creator not merely bringing the seas into existence, but actively managing their immense power, gathering them into defined boundaries and holding their depths in reserve like precious resources. This verse serves as a profound testament to God's infinite wisdom, intentional design, and unwavering authority over all creation, inspiring both awe at His might and trust in His providential care.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 33 is a vibrant hymn of praise, a communal call to worship the Lord for His righteous character, His trustworthy word, and His mighty deeds in both creation and history. Verse 7 builds directly upon the preceding declaration in [Psalm 33:6](/psalms/33-6 "Psalm 33:6 - God's Creative Word"), which states, "By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth." This establishes God's creative power through His spoken command. Psalm 33:7 then provides a specific and striking illustration of this power, focusing on His masterful control over the chaotic and immense waters, thereby reinforcing the theme of divine order brought forth by divine decree. The psalm continues to extol God's providential care over humanity and His unwavering faithfulness, making this verse a foundational statement of His cosmic authority and the stability He brings to creation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the sea was frequently perceived as a symbol of chaos, untamed power, and even the dwelling place of mythical, destructive entities. Surrounding cultures often depicted their deities as struggling with or barely containing the primordial waters. In stark contrast, Psalm 33:7 presents Yahweh as effortlessly commanding the vast oceans, gathering them "as an heap" and laying "the depth in storehouses." This imagery directly challenges pagan notions of cosmic struggle, asserting the unique, unchallenged, and absolute sovereignty of Israel's God. It resonates with historical accounts of God's power over water, such as the miraculous parting of the Red Sea in [Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Parting of the Red Sea") and the global flood narrative in [Genesis 7](/genesis/7 "Genesis 7 - The Great Flood"), reinforcing a worldview where God alone is the ultimate ruler of all natural forces and the one who brings order to chaos.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Control**, emphasizing that God is not merely a distant creator but an active, present sustainer who meticulously manages His creation, even the most formidable elements like the sea. This highlights His absolute authority over all things, from the cosmos to the smallest detail. Secondly, it illustrates the theme of **Order Out of Chaos**. By gathering waters "as an heap" and laying "the depth in storehouses," God demonstrates His unique ability to bring perfect order and structure to what might otherwise be formless or destructive. This resonates deeply with the original creation account in [Genesis 1:9-10](/genesis/1-9 "Genesis 1:9-10 - Separation of Waters and Dry Land"), where waters were gathered to reveal dry land. Lastly, the verse speaks to **God's Infinite Wisdom and Intentional Design**. The meticulous way God controls the waters, holding them in "storehouses," implies intentionality, foresight, and a well-ordered design for the planet, suggesting that the vast oceans are not left to chance but are carefully managed and held in reserve by God, much like valuable resources.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heap (Hebrew, _nêd_):** This term (נֵד, H5067) refers to a piled-up mass, often specifically of water. Its most famous usage is in [Exodus 15:8](/exodus/15-8 "Exodus 15:8 - Waters Standing Like a Heap"), describing the waters of the Red Sea standing up like a wall or heap when God parted them for the Israelites. In Psalm 33:7, it conveys the idea of an immense volume of water being supernaturally contained and held in an unnatural, yet divinely willed, configuration, demonstrating God's power to defy natural tendencies and impose His will upon the elements.
* **Storehouses (Hebrew, _ʼôwtsâr_):** The Hebrew word (אוֹצָר, H214) denotes a depository, treasury, or store-chamber. When applied to the depths of the sea, it suggests that the vast, seemingly boundless oceans are not unruly or chaotic but are carefully managed, held in reserve, and under the complete control of God. This imagery implies intentionality, foresight, and ownership, portraying the seas as a resource precisely accounted for and governed by the Creator, rather than an untamed force. It speaks to God's meticulous administration of His creation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap":** This clause emphasizes God's active, deliberate, and powerful control over the immense and potentially chaotic waters of the sea. The verb "gathereth" (כָּנַס, _kânaç_, H3664) implies a purposeful collection and containment, not a passive observation. The phrase "as an heap" vividly portrays the waters being supernaturally piled up or held back, defying their natural tendency to spread. This evokes imagery of the original creation act where waters were separated and confined (e.g., [Genesis 1:9](/genesis/1-9 "Genesis 1:9 - Waters Gathered")) and miraculous events like the parting of the Red Sea. It highlights God's ability to impose order and boundaries on the most formidable elements of His creation, demonstrating His absolute dominion.
* **"he layeth up the depth in storehouses":** This second clause further elaborates on the nature of God's control, shifting from the visible act of gathering to the hidden, strategic management of the "depth." The "depth" (תְּהוֹם, _tᵉhôwm_, H8415) refers to the deep, vast, and often mysterious subterranean waters or the main sea. The verb "layeth up" (נָתַן, _nâthan_, H5414) implies placing, depositing, or storing, akin to treasuring valuable possessions. The use of "storehouses" suggests that these immense, hidden reserves of water are not random but are precisely managed and held in reserve by God, much like a king's treasury or a merchant's inventory. This underscores God's meticulous wisdom, foresight, and complete ownership over all the earth's hydrological systems, ensuring their proper function within His grand design.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 33:7 is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid mental picture of God's immense power over the oceans. The phrase "as an heap" is a powerful **Simile**, comparing the gathered waters to a solid, piled-up mass, which is an unnatural state for water, emphasizing the supernatural nature of God's control. The concept of "storehouses" is a striking **Metaphor**, portraying the vast, uncontainable depths of the sea as carefully managed and held in reserve, much like valuable resources in a treasury. This **Anthropomorphism** (attributing human actions like "laying up" to God) helps the human mind grasp the divine intentionality and meticulousness behind creation's order. Together, these devices elevate the description of God's creative and sustaining power beyond mere factual statement, inviting awe and wonder and reinforcing the Psalmist's declaration of God's supreme authority.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly speaks to God's unparalleled power and wisdom, establishing Him as the sovereign Lord over all creation. It asserts that the same divine word that brought the cosmos into being continues to sustain and govern its intricate functions, including the immense power of the seas. This control is not merely a display of raw might but an expression of intelligent design and meticulous care, ensuring the stability and order of the world. For humanity, this truth provides a foundational sense of security: if God can so effortlessly manage the chaotic forces of the deep, He is certainly capable of bringing order and purpose to the complexities and challenges of human life. His sovereignty over the natural world serves as an enduring testimony to His faithfulness and His ultimate authority over all circumstances, inviting trust and worship.

* [Job 38:8-11](/job/38-8-11 "Job 38:8-11 - God Sets Boundaries for the Sea")
* [Proverbs 8:29](/proverbs/8-29 "Proverbs 8:29 - God's Decree for the Sea")
* [Jeremiah 5:22](/jeremiah/5-22 "Jeremiah 5:22 - God's Unchanging Boundary for the Sea")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 33:7 invites us to pause and consider the staggering power and wisdom of our God. In a world often characterized by chaos, uncertainty, and overwhelming challenges, this verse serves as a powerful anchor for our faith. If the Creator of the universe can effortlessly gather the immense waters of the sea into a heap and store their depths as if in a treasury, then no situation in our lives, no matter how turbulent or insurmountable it may seem, is beyond His divine control and ordering power. This truth should inspire not only profound awe and worship but also deep trust. It encourages us to surrender our fears and anxieties to the One who holds all things in His hands, reminding us that His meticulous design extends to every detail of our existence. Recognizing God's absolute sovereignty over creation empowers us to face life's storms with confidence, knowing that the same God who sets boundaries for the oceans also governs our circumstances with perfect wisdom and unfailing love, bringing order out of our personal chaos.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does reflecting on God's control over the vast oceans impact your understanding of His power in your personal life?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to trust God to "gather the waters" and bring order out of chaos?**
* **How can the imagery of God "laying up the depth in storehouses" deepen your sense of security and trust in His provision and meticulous care for you?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse imply God literally "stores" water in physical storehouses?**

Answer: While the imagery of "storehouses" (אוֹצָר, _ʼôwtsâr_) suggests physical depositories, the verse uses this metaphorically to convey God's absolute control, meticulous management, and intentional design regarding the earth's vast water bodies. It doesn't mean God has literal warehouses filled with water. Instead, it highlights that the immense depths of the seas, the hidden underground reservoirs, and the global hydrological cycle are all precisely ordered, contained, and governed by His divine will. Just as a human ruler might store valuable resources, God holds the waters of the earth in His complete command and under His perfect administration, ensuring their proper function within His creation. This concept is reinforced by other passages like [Job 38:22](/job/38-22 "Job 38:22 - God's Storehouses of Snow and Hail") which speaks of "treasures of the snow" and "treasures of the hail," again using the "storehouse" metaphor for natural phenomena under divine control, emphasizing divine ownership and control over all natural elements.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 33:7, with its declaration of God's sovereign power over the waters, finds its ultimate and most tangible fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The New Testament consistently portrays Jesus as the very embodiment of this divine power, demonstrating the same authority over creation that the Psalmist attributes to God. When Jesus commanded the raging storm, saying, "[Peace, be still!](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm"), and the wind and waves instantly obeyed, He revealed Himself as the Creator Incarnate, the One who "gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap." His ability to walk on water, as recorded in [Matthew 14:25](/matthew/14-25 "Matthew 14:25 - Jesus Walks on Water"), further underscores His mastery over the very elements described in this Psalm. Moreover, just as God laid up the depth in storehouses, Christ, through His redemptive work, brings order out of the chaos of sin and death, offering a new creation where all things are held securely in Him ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ, Creator and Sustainer")). The divine power over creation celebrated in Psalm 33:7 is not a distant, abstract concept, but a living reality made manifest in the Lord Jesus, who is both the Word by whom all things were made and the Lamb who redeems and restores all things ([John 1:3](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Made Through Him"); [Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - Behold, I Make All Things New")).

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

Joshua 3:16

That the waters which came down from above stood [and] rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that [is] beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, [even] the salt sea, failed, [and] were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.

Exodus 15:8

And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, [and] the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.

Joshua 3:13

And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, [that] the waters of Jordan shall be cut off [from] the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.

Jeremiah 5:22

Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand [for] the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?

Habakkuk 3:15

Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses, [through] the heap of great waters.

Psalms 104:6

Thou coveredst it with the deep as [with] a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.

Psalms 104:9

Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.