They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man . The oldest sailor "loses his sea-legs," and staggers about the deck like a landsman, or like one drunk. And are at their wit's end ; literally, as in the margin, and all their wisdom is swallowed . But the English idiom of the Authorized Version is a very happy, one, and exactly expresses the writer's meaning. All the seaman's intelligence is at fault, and can suggest nothing. read more
Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses . Practically identical with Psalms 107:6 , Psalms 107:13 , and Psalms 107:19 . read more
He maketh the storm a calm ; i . e . he causes the wind to drop, and to be succeeded by a "great calm" (comp. Matthew 8:26 ). Such sudden changes do sometimes occur, not only in inland seas, but on the Mediterranean (see Jonah 1:15 ). So that the waves thereof are still ; literally, the waves of them ; i . e . of the great waters (see Psalms 107:23 ). read more
Then are they glad because they be quiet ; or, "because they be at rest," i . e . no longer tempest-tossed. So he bringeth them unto their desired haven ; literally, the haven of their desire ; i . e . the haven where they desire to be. read more
The Pilot, the passage, and the port. "So he bringeth them to their desired haven." These three themes are suggested by the words. Therefore consider— I. THE PILOT . He is the Lord Jesus Christ. We need his aid. Some think they can manage well enough without him, and hence refuse his aid; but no ship ever yet came safe to port without that aid. Receive him, therefore. His knowledge is perfect. His wisdom never errs. His power is omnipotent. His terms are such as all can comply... read more
The desired haven. "So he bringeth them unto the haven where they would be" (Prayer-book Version). The picture of the sea connected with this text is "painted as a landsman would paint it, but yet only as one who had himself been exposed to the danger could paint the storm—the waves running mountains high, on which the tiny craft seemed a plaything; the helplessness of human skill, the gladness of the calm, the safe refuge in the haven." It is difficult for those who love the sea to enter... read more
Oh that men , etc. Repeated from Psalms 107:8 , Psalms 107:15 , and Psalms 107:21 . read more
Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people . The psalmist holds it to be not enough for men who have received deliverances to thank God in their hearts, or secretly in their chambers. He requires them to make public profession of their thankfulness "in the congregation of the people." The Christian Church maintains the same attitude. And praise him in the assembly of the elders . The elders led the congregation and presided in it ( Ezra 3:9-11 ; Ezra 6:16-22 ; Nehemiah... read more
The righteous shall see it, and rejoice . Experience will justify God's ways to man. "The righteous"—his people—will see that the general course of God's providence is such as described ( Psalms 107:33-41 ), and will "rejoice" that it is so. And all iniquity shall stop her mouth . The gain sayers, unable to impugn the righteousness of the Divine proceedings, shall have no resource but to sit still and hold their tongues. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 107:26
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