Psalm 107:27

27 They staggered and stumbled around like they were drunk. None of their skill was of any help.

Psalm 107:27 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 107:27

They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man
Through the agitation of the water, and motion of the ship, not being able to stand upon deck.

And are at their wit's end;
or, "all their wisdom is swallowed up" ^F14; their wisdom in naval affairs, their art of navigation, their skill in managing ships, all nonplussed and baffled; they know not what method to take to save the vessel and themselves; their knowledge fails them, they are quite confounded and almost distracted. So Apollinarius paraphrases it,

``they forget navigation, and their wise art does not appear;''

so Ovid, describing a storm, uses the same phrase, "deficit ars",

``art fails.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F14 (elbtt Mtmkx lk) "omnis sapientia eorum absorpta est", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus; so Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

Psalm 107:27 In-Context

25 God spoke and stirred up a storm that brought the waves up high.

26 The waves went as high as the sky; they crashed down to the depths. The sailors' courage melted at this terrible situation.

27 They staggered and stumbled around like they were drunk. None of their skill was of any help.

28 So they cried out to the LORD in their distress, and God brought them out safe from their desperate circumstances.

29 God quieted the storm to a whisper; the sea's waves were hushed.