Psalms 107:21-31

21 Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!

22 Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And declare His works with rejoicing.

23 Those who go down to the sea in ships, Who do business on great waters,

24 They see the works of the Lord, And His wonders in the deep.

25 For He commands and raises the stormy wind, Which lifts up the waves of the sea.

26 They mount up to the heavens, They go down again to the depths; Their soul melts because of trouble.

27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits' end.

28 Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, And He brings them out of their distresses.

29 He calms the storm, So that its waves are still.

30 Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven.

31 Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!

Psalms 107:21-31 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.''