For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind (comp. Psalms 147:15 , Psalms 147:18 ; Jonah 1:4 ). The operations of nature are constantly spoken of in Scripture as God's direct doing. Which lifteth up the waves thereof ; or, "the waves that are his" (compare, in Psalms 147:17 , Psalms 147:18 , "his ice, his cold, his wind"). read more
They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths. Tossed on the foaming billows, now carried up until they seem almost to touch the sky (see Genesis 11:4 ), anon sinking into the trough of the sea, and as it were swallowed up in its depths. Their soul is melted because of trouble ; or, "their soul melteth away in the trouble" (Cheyne). read more
For he commandeth - Hebrew, “he says;” that is, He speaks the word, and it is done. The mere expression of his will raises up the storm, and throws the sea into commotion.And raiseth the stormy wind - Margin, as in Hebrew, “Maketh to stand.” The “stormy wind” is literally, the wind of the tempest.Which lifteth up the waves thereof - The waves of the ocean. The wind seems to take them up, and lift them on high. read more
They mount up to the heaven - The mariners. That it refers to the seamen, and not to the waves, is apparent from the close of the verse: “their soul is melted.”They go down again to the depths - The word here is different from that used in Psalms 107:24, and rendered “deep,” but the idea is essentially the same. It is the sea or ocean considered as “deep;” as bottomless. The idea here is, that they seem to descend into the very depths of the ocean.Their soul is melted because of trouble - It... read more
Psalms 107:23-27. They that go down to the sea in ships He says go down, because the sea is lower than the earth, as appears by the rivers which run down into it; that do business in great waters Whose occupation lies there as mariners, merchants, or fisher-men; or, who go to take ship as passengers. These see the works of the Lord His wonderful works, either, 1st, Of creation, such as fishes of various kinds and shapes, and some of a prodigious size; which are not seen by other men.... read more
Psalms 107-108 Specific thanksgivingsPsalms 107:0 seems to be particularly appropriate to the time of the Jews’ return to their homeland after their exile in Babylon. It is a song of thanksgiving to be sung by those who have been saved from some great affliction or danger (107:1-3). Four different cases are introduced by verses 4, 10, 17 and 23. Each of the cases describes the danger, notes the prayer, outlines the answer and concludes with a word of instruction and warning.The first... read more
wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 . read more
Psalms 107:26. &c. They mount up, &c.— There cannot be conceived any thing more poetical or sublime, than this description of a storm at sea; a subject on which the most celebrated poets have employed their pens. It would be a pleasing task, if the nature or limits of our work allowed it, to compare this description of the Psalmist's with those of ancient and modern writers. But we are denied this agreeable task; and shall only add, that those who will make the comparison will find how... read more
25. waves thereof—literally, "His waves" (God's, :-). read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 107:23-32
Finally, there are eases among those whose business requires them to traverse the sea, where the danger is great, and death seems imminent. Let such persons cast themselves upon God, and "cry to him in their trouble," and they too will be heard and delivered. Must it not be their duty also to give thanks? read more