Psalms 65:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Which stilleth {H7623}{H8688)} the noise {H7588} of the seas {H3220}, the noise {H7588} of their waves {H1530}, and the tumult {H1995} of the people {H3816}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You still the roaring of the seas, their crashing waves, and the peoples' turmoil.

Berean Standard Bible

You stilled the roaring of the seas, the pounding of their waves, and the tumult of the nations.

American Standard Version

Who stilleth the roaring of the seas, The roaring of their waves, And the tumult of the peoples.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 65:7 powerfully declares God's absolute sovereignty, showcasing His unparalleled ability to bring order and tranquility to the most formidable and chaotic forces in existence. This verse beautifully portrays the divine dominion extending from the overwhelming might of natural phenomena, such as the roaring seas and their tempestuous waves, to the unpredictable and often turbulent commotions of human society, offering profound comfort and reassurance in His ultimate control.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 65 is a magnificent psalm of thanksgiving and praise, likely composed in response to a period of national deliverance or abundant agricultural blessing, possibly after a severe drought. The preceding verses establish a foundation for God's praiseworthy character, highlighting His attentiveness to prayer and His willingness to forgive sins, as seen in [Psalm 65:2-3](/psalms/65-2-3 "Psalm 65:2-3 - God Hears Prayer and Forgives Sins"). The psalmist transitions from God's gracious reception of His people to His awesome power displayed in creation. Verses 5-6 describe God's might in establishing the mountains, girding Himself with power, and quieting the "tumult of the peoples" (a slight variation of verse 7's "tumult of the people"). This sets the immediate stage for [Psalm 65:7](/psalms/65-7 "Psalm 65:7 - God Stills Chaos"), which specifically elaborates on God's mastery over both natural and human chaos, reinforcing His ultimate control over all aspects of creation and human affairs within the broader context of His faithfulness and provision.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the sea was often viewed as a symbol of untamed, chaotic power, a realm beyond human control, and sometimes even associated with mythical monsters representing primordial disorder. Mariners faced immense dangers, and coastal communities were vulnerable to devastating storms. Therefore, the ability to "still the noise of the seas" was a profound demonstration of divine omnipotence, far surpassing any human capability or the power attributed to pagan deities. Similarly, "the tumult of the people" would have resonated deeply with a society frequently subjected to inter-tribal conflicts, national uprisings, or the clamor of invading armies. The promise of God quieting such human chaos would have offered immense solace and security in a volatile world, emphasizing His role as the ultimate guarantor of peace and stability for His covenant people, contrasting sharply with the instability often experienced under human rulers.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 65 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it underscores the **Divine Sovereignty over Creation**, portraying God as the supreme ruler who not only created the world but actively sustains and controls its most formidable elements. This theme is echoed throughout the Psalms, such as in [Psalm 89:9](/psalms/89-9 "Psalm 89:9 - God Rules the Raging Sea"), where God is depicted as ruling the raging sea and stilling its waves. Secondly, it highlights **God's Control Over Human Affairs**, assuring believers that even in the midst of societal unrest, political upheaval, or the clamor of nations, God remains sovereign and capable of bringing order. This provides a deep sense of security and trust in His providential governance, a truth that also resonates with [Psalm 46:10](/psalms/46-10 "Psalm 46:10 - Be Still and Know God"). Finally, the act of "stilling" emphasizes God's role as the **Bringer of Peace and Order**, transforming chaos into calm. This theme is central to the biblical understanding of God's character, who desires peace for His people and is ultimately the source of all true tranquility, a concept beautifully articulated in [Isaiah 26:3](/isaiah/26-3 "Isaiah 26:3 - Perfect Peace in God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Stilleth (Hebrew, _shâbach'_):** From H7623, this verb means to address in a loud tone, but figuratively, to pacify or quiet. When applied to the sea, it signifies God's powerful command that causes the raging waters to cease their commotion and become calm. When applied to people, it implies God's decisive intervention to quell their uproar, rebellion, or strife, bringing about a state of peace and order. It conveys God's active and authoritative power to bring tranquility out of chaos.
* **Noise (Hebrew, _shâʼôwn'_):** From H7588, this noun denotes an uproar, a rushing sound, or a tumult. In the context of the seas, it vividly describes the deafening roar of crashing waves during a violent storm, emphasizing the overwhelming and uncontrollable nature of the ocean's power. Its use here highlights the formidable challenge that God effortlessly subdues, underscoring the magnitude of His omnipotence.
* **Tumult (Hebrew, _hâmôwn'_):** From H1995, this word refers to a noise, a crowd, a multitude, or a commotion. When applied to "the people," it evokes images of societal unrest, the clamor of rebellious mobs, the din of war, or the general disquietude of nations in conflict. By juxtaposing this with the "noise of the seas," the psalmist powerfully asserts that God's sovereignty extends equally and effectively over both the untamed forces of nature and the volatile affairs of humanity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Which stilleth the noise of the seas,"**: This clause immediately establishes God's absolute dominion over the most formidable natural forces. The "noise of the seas" evokes the terrifying, uncontrollable power of the ocean during a storm, a force that ancient peoples would have viewed with awe and fear. God's ability to "still" this noise signifies His power to command and calm the very elements, demonstrating His omnipotence over creation.
* **"the noise of their waves,"**: This phrase serves as a specific amplification and intensification of the preceding clause. It narrows the focus from the general "noise of the seas" to the specific, violent "noise of their waves"—the crashing, roaring, and destructive power of individual waves. This parallelism underscores the comprehensive nature of God's control; He subdues not just the sea in general, but every single manifestation of its chaotic power, down to its individual billows.
* **"and the tumult of the people."**: This final clause broadens the scope of God's sovereignty from the natural world to the human realm. "The tumult of the people" refers to human unrest, rebellion, noisy crowds, national commotions, or the clamor of opposing nations. By juxtaposing this with the calming of the sea, the psalmist asserts that God's power is equally effective and necessary in quelling human chaos, strife, and rebellion, bringing peace and order to society.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 65:7 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically **Synonymous Parallelism** with a climactic expansion. The phrases "the noise of the seas" and "the noise of their waves" are synonymous, reiterating and intensifying the same idea of natural chaos. This is then followed by a contrasting yet parallel element, "the tumult of the people," which extends God's power from the natural to the human sphere, creating a sense of comprehensive dominion. **Imagery** is also vividly used, conjuring sensory experiences of the roaring sea and the clamor of human crowds, making God's act of "stilling" all the more impactful. The "seas" and "tumult of the people" function as powerful **Metaphors** or **Symbols** for chaos, disorder, and forces beyond human control, against which God's sovereignty shines brightest. The verse also implicitly uses **Anthropomorphism** by attributing the human action of "stilling" to God, emphasizing His active, personal intervention in the world.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 65:7 provides a profound theological statement on God's omnipotent control over all creation, both natural and human. It asserts that no force, however overwhelming or chaotic, lies outside His sovereign command. This truth offers immense comfort and stability, reminding believers that even when the world seems to be in turmoil, God remains on His throne, capable of bringing peace and order. This divine attribute is not merely a philosophical concept but a practical reality that undergirds faith, encouraging trust in His power to quiet the storms of life, whether literal or metaphorical.

* [Job 38:8-11](/job/38-8-11 "Job 38:8-11 - God's Control Over the Sea")
* [Psalm 46:10](/psalms/46-10 "Psalm 46:10 - Be Still and Know God")
* [Isaiah 26:3](/isaiah/26-3 "Isaiah 26:3 - Perfect Peace")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world perpetually marked by the "noise" of natural disasters, geopolitical unrest, social upheaval, and personal anxieties, Psalms 65:7 offers a timeless anchor for the soul. It calls us to lift our gaze beyond the immediate chaos and fix it upon the One who holds all things in His hands. This verse reminds us that no storm, whether external or internal, is too great for God to subdue. It encourages us to cultivate a deep trust in His sovereignty, knowing that He is not merely an observer of our struggles but an active, powerful presence capable of bringing stillness to our troubled hearts and circumstances. When the "waves" of life threaten to overwhelm, or the "tumult" of human conflict seems deafening, we are invited to find refuge and peace in the omnipotent care of our God, who commands even the winds and the waves.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "noises" or "tumults" in your personal life or the world around you are causing you anxiety today?**
* **How does understanding God's power to "still" these forces impact your sense of peace and trust in Him?**
* **In what practical ways can you "be still" and acknowledge God's sovereignty amidst the chaos you face?**

### FAQ
**Does "the noise of the seas" refer only to literal oceans, or is there a deeper meaning?**

Answer: While it certainly refers to the literal power of the oceans and their waves, in biblical poetry, the "sea" often functions as a powerful symbol for chaos, disorder, and the forces that threaten human existence or God's created order. Just as God separated the waters at creation in [Genesis 1:9-10](/genesis/1-9-10 "Genesis 1:9-10 - God Separates the Waters"), His ability to "still" the sea signifies His ongoing dominion over all forms of chaos, both natural and metaphorical. This symbolic interpretation deepens the meaning, connecting God's power over the physical world to His power over spiritual and societal disorder, including the "sea of humanity" often depicted in prophetic literature.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 65:7 finds its most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the visible embodiment of God's power to still both natural and human chaos. The Gospels record the powerful account of Jesus calming a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee, where He simply commanded, "Peace, be still!" as narrated in [Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm"). This miraculous event directly parallels the psalmist's declaration of God's power over the "noise of the seas and the noise of their waves," unequivocally demonstrating Christ's divine authority as God incarnate. Furthermore, Jesus addresses the "tumult of the people" not only by quieting literal crowds but, more significantly, by offering true peace that transcends human conflict and inner turmoil. He is the "Prince of Peace" foretold in [Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - The Prince of Peace") who brings reconciliation between God and humanity through His sacrifice, as explained in [Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19-20 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Reconciliation Through Christ"), and offers a peace that the world cannot give, as He promised in [John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Jesus Gives Peace"). Ultimately, through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Christ has conquered the ultimate sources of human tumult—sin, death, and the power of evil—promising a future where all chaos will be eternally stilled in the new heavens and new earth described in [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heavens 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

Psalms 89:9

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

Psalms 93:3

The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.

Psalms 93:4

The LORD on high [is] mightier than the noise of many waters, [yea, than] the mighty waves of the sea.

Isaiah 17:12

¶ Woe to the multitude of many people, [which] make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, [that] make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!

Isaiah 17:13

The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but [God] shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.

Psalms 107:29

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

John 18:6

As soon then as he had said unto them, I am [he], they went backward, and fell to the ground.