Psalms 107:23-33

23 Those who sail on the sea in ships, who do business on the high seas,

24 have seen what the LORD can do, the miracles he performed in the depths of the sea.

25 He spoke, and a storm began to blow, and it made the waves rise high.

26 The sailors aboard ship rose toward the sky. They plunged into the depths. Their courage melted in [the face of] disaster.

27 They reeled and staggered like drunks, and all their skills as sailors became useless.

28 In their distress they cried out to the LORD. He led them from their troubles.

29 He made the storm calm down, and the waves became still.

30 The sailors were glad that the storm was quiet. He guided them to the harbor they had longed for.

31 Let them give thanks to the LORD because of his mercy. He performed his miracles for Adam's descendants.

32 Let them glorify him when the people are gathered for worship. Let them praise him in the company of respected leaders.

33 He changes rivers into a desert, springs into thirsty ground,

Psalms 107:23-33 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 107

This psalm, from its style, and from its connection with the preceding psalms, seems to have been written by David. The two foregoing psalms respect the children of Israel; this is generally thought to concern all mankind, and its view to assert a general providence which attends all, in whatsoever condition and circumstance; and to encourage men in their distresses to cry unto the Lord. According to Kimchi, Aben Ezra, and others, four sorts of persons are mentioned, travellers through a wilderness, prisoners, sick persons, and such who use the seas; to which some add a fifth, husbandmen; these are instanced in, not to the exclusion of others, but from them it may be concluded that whatsoever state or condition persons may be in, they are known and taken notice of by the Lord, and are relieved by him when they call upon him. Some restrain the whole to the Israelites, as the Targum, R. Obadiah, Arama, and others, where they make any application; and others apply the psalm to New Testament times; and indeed, though the literal sense should be attended unto and preserved, yet it seems to be applicable to spiritual persons and things. The title of it in the Syriac version is pretty remarkable,

``it is said concerning Joab and Abiah the sons of Samuel, who recited the commandments of the Lord. God gathered the Jews out of captivity, and brought them out from Babylon. Also the only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, gathered the Gentiles from the four corners of the world, by preaching to baptism.''