Psalms 107:23-33

23 Those who go down to the sea in ships, plying their trade on the great ocean,

24 saw the works of ADONAI, his wonders in the deep.

25 For at his word the storm-wind arose, lifting up towering waves.

26 The sailors were raised up to the sky, then plunged into the depths. At the danger, their courage failed them,

27 they reeled and staggered like drunk men, and all their skill was swallowed up.

28 In their trouble they cried to ADONAI, and he rescued them from their distress.

29 He silenced the storm and stilled its waves,

30 and they rejoiced as the sea grew calm. Then he brought them safely to their desired port.

31 Let them give thanks to ADONAI for his grace, for his wonders bestowed on humanity!

32 Let them extol him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the leaders' council.

33 He turns rivers into desert, flowing 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.''