Psalms 89:9

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

Thou rulest {H4910}{H8802)} the raging {H1348} of the sea {H3220}: when the waves {H1530} thereof arise {H7721}{H8800)}, thou stillest {H7623}{H8762)} them.

You control the raging of the sea; when its waves rear up, you calm them.

You rule the raging sea; when its waves mount up, You still them.

Thou rulest the pride of the sea: When the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.

Commentary

Psalm 89:9 is a majestic declaration of God's supreme power and authority over all creation, particularly over the most formidable and chaotic elements of the natural world. This verse beautifully illustrates the Lord's absolute control, portraying Him as the sovereign ruler who can calm the fiercest storms with a word.

Historical and Cultural Context

Psalm 89 is a Maskil (a contemplative psalm) of Ethan the Ezrahite, a wise man mentioned in 1 Kings 4:31. The psalm begins with a grand celebration of God's faithfulness and power, particularly His covenant with David. Verse 9 fits into this opening section, establishing God's unparalleled might by referencing His control over the sea. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the sea often symbolized chaos, untamed power, and even hostile forces. For God to "rule the raging of the sea" and "stillest them" was a profound statement of His divine omnipotence, far surpassing any earthly power or deity. This sets the stage for the psalm's later lament, where the psalmist appeals to this very power and faithfulness amidst perceived national distress.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Absolute Sovereignty: The primary message is God's unquestionable dominion over all things, especially the forces that seem uncontrollable to humanity. He is not merely powerful but possesses ultimate authority.
  • Divine Control Over Chaos: The "raging of the sea" and its "waves" represent chaos, turbulence, and overwhelming forces. God's ability to "still" them signifies His power to bring order, peace, and control to any chaotic situation, whether natural or human.
  • Faithfulness and Dependability: Underlying this power is God's unchanging nature. His ability to control creation reinforces His reliability and faithfulness to His promises and covenants, providing a foundation for trust.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "Thou rulest the raging of the sea" uses the Hebrew word mashal (ืžึธืฉึทืืœ) for "rulest," which means to rule, reign, or have dominion. The word for "raging" is ga'avah (ื’ึทึผืึฒื•ึธื”), often translated as pride, majesty, or swelling. Here, it refers to the proud, swelling waves of the sea, implying their immense, almost arrogant, power. God's rule over this "pride" emphasizes His supreme authority.
  • "Thou stillest them" comes from the Hebrew shachak (ืฉึธืื—ึทืšึฐ), meaning to subdue, humble, or quiet. It conveys the idea of God bringing down the mighty, calming the turbulent, and restoring tranquility with His command. This echoes the concept of God setting boundaries for the sea in Job 38:11.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalm 89:9 offers immense comfort and a call to worship.

  • Comfort in Life's Storms: Just as God controls the literal sea, He is sovereign over the "storms" of our livesโ€”personal crises, anxieties, or overwhelming circumstances. This verse assures us that no situation is beyond His control.
  • Trust in His Power: When we face seemingly insurmountable challenges, this verse reminds us to place our trust in the One who can quiet the raging waves. He is capable of bringing peace to our chaos.
  • Awe and Worship: Reflecting on God's ability to command nature should fill us with awe and lead us to worship. His greatness is beyond human comprehension.
  • Prophetic Foreshadowing: The New Testament vividly demonstrates this power in the person of Jesus Christ, who calmed a fierce storm with a simple command, "Peace, be still" (Mark 4:39), proving His divine authority and fulfilling this very attribute of God.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 65:7

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

  • Psalms 107:25

    For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

  • Psalms 107:29

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

  • Mark 4:41

    And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

  • Matthew 8:24

    And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

  • Matthew 8:27

    But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

  • Mark 4:39

    And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
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