Psalms 107:26

26 The ships were lifted high in the air and plunged down into the depths. In such danger the sailors lost their courage;

Psalms 107:26 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 107:26

They mount up to the heaven
The waves which are lifted up by the stormy wind, and the ships which are upon them, and the men in them.

They go down again to the depths:
one while they seem to reach the skies, and presently they are down, as it were, in the bottom of the sea, and are threatened to be buried in the midst of it; distress at sea is described in much the same language by Virgil and Ovid ^F13.

Their soul is melted because of trouble;
because of the danger of being cast away; so it was with Jonah's mariner's, and with the disciples in the storm; sea roaring, and men's hearts failing for fear, are joined together in ( Luke 21:25 Luke 21:26 )

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FOOTNOTES:

F13 "Tollimur in coelum", Virgil. Aeneid 3. prope finem. "Coelumque aequare videtur pontus". Ovid. Metamorph. l. 12. Fab. 10.

Psalms 107:26 In-Context

24 They saw what the Lord can do, his wonderful acts on the seas.

25 He commanded, and a mighty wind began to blow and stirred up the waves.

26 The ships were lifted high in the air and plunged down into the depths. In such danger the sailors lost their courage;

27 they stumbled and staggered like drunks - all their skill was useless.

28 Then in their trouble they called to the Lord, and he saved them from their distress.