Psalms 48:7

Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.

Thou breakest {H7665}{H8762)} the ships {H591} of Tarshish {H8659} with an east {H6921} wind {H7307}.

as when the wind out of the east wrecks the "Tarshish" ships.

With a wind from the east You wrecked the ships of Tarshish.

With the east wind Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish.

Commentary

Context of Psalms 48:7

Psalm 48 is a magnificent hymn celebrating Mount Zion, the city of Jerusalem, as the dwelling place of God and the center of His protection. The psalm opens with praise for God's greatness in His holy city, then describes how earthly kings gathered against Jerusalem, only to be struck with terror and flee when they witnessed God's power (Psalm 48:4-6). Verse 7 serves as a vivid illustration of this divine intervention, likening God's overwhelming defeat of His enemies to a powerful natural force that shatters even the strongest human creations. It emphasizes that God's power is not just defensive, but actively destructive against those who oppose Him and His people.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Power: This verse powerfully demonstrates God's absolute control over all creation, including the elements and human endeavors. No human strength, wealth, or military might can withstand His will.
  • God's Protection of Zion: The destruction of the "ships of Tarshish" symbolizes the complete dismantling of any force threatening God's chosen city and His people. It underscores God's unwavering commitment to defend Jerusalem, as also seen in Psalm 46:5.
  • Judgment on Human Pride and Worldly Might: The ships of Tarshish often represented the pinnacle of human achievement, wealth, and far-reaching influence. Their destruction by a mere "east wind" highlights the futility of trusting in worldly power over divine strength.

Linguistic and Cultural Insights

The imagery in this verse is rich with symbolic meaning:

  • "Ships of Tarshish": These were renowned in ancient times as large, sturdy, and valuable trading vessels, capable of long voyages. Tarshish itself was a distant, wealthy port (possibly in modern-day Spain or elsewhere in the Mediterranean). In the Bible, these ships often symbolize great wealth, maritime power, and human pride, sometimes appearing in contexts of judgment against such arrogance (e.g., Isaiah 2:16). They carried valuable cargo like gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks, as mentioned in 1 Kings 10:22. Their destruction signifies that no human enterprise, however grand or secure it seems, is beyond God's reach.
  • "East wind" (Hebrew: ruach qadim): In the biblical context, the east wind was often associated with destructive power. It was known as a strong, hot, and often scorching wind that could bring drought and devastation, as seen in Genesis 41:6 (destroying crops) and Jonah 4:8. Here, it serves as a metaphor for God's swift, irresistible, and often unseen judgment that can dismantle even the most formidable human creations.

Practical Application

Psalms 48:7 offers timeless encouragement and warning:

  • Trust in God's Power: For believers, this verse is a powerful reminder that God is sovereign and capable of overcoming any obstacle or enemy. When faced with overwhelming challenges, we are called to place our trust not in human strength or resources, but in the Almighty God who can shatter the "ships of Tarshish" with a mere breath.
  • Humility for the Proud: For those who rely on their own might, wealth, or influence, it serves as a stark warning. No human empire or individual power can ultimately stand against the creator of the universe. This echoes themes found in Isaiah 2:11, where human loftiness is brought low.
  • Security in God's Presence: Just as God protected Jerusalem, He continues to protect His people and His church. This verse assures us of His unwavering defense and provision for those who dwell in His presence.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 18:17

    I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will shew them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.

  • 1 Kings 22:48

    Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Eziongeber.

  • Ezekiel 27:25

    The ships of Tarshish did sing of thee in thy market: and thou wast replenished, and made very glorious in the midst of the seas.

  • Ezekiel 27:26

    ¶ Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas.

  • Isaiah 2:16

    And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.

  • 1 Kings 10:22

    For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
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