Psalm 107:27

27 They are troubled, they stagger as a drunkard, and all their wisdom is swallowed up.

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 He speaks, and the stormy wind arises, and its waves are lifted up.

26 They go up to the heavens, and go down to the depths; their soul melts because of troubles.

27 They are troubled, they stagger as a drunkard, and all their wisdom is swallowed up.

28 Then they cry to the Lord in their affliction, and he brings them out of their distresses.

29 And he commands the storm, and it is calmed into a gentle breeze, and its waves are still.