psalm-107:23-32,-luke-8:22-25-niv

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 107:23

They that go down to the sea in ships - The scene here changes again. From those that wander in the desert - from those who are in prison - from those who are sick - the eye of the psalmist turns to those who encounter the perils of the ocean, and he finds there occasion for praise to God. The phrase “go down” or “descend” is employed here because the sea is lower than the land, and because we “descend” when we embark on board of a vessel.That do business ... - Whose business or employment is... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 107:24

These see the works of the Lord - They - sailors - have a special opportunity to see the works of God. They see manifestations of his power which are not seen on the land. They see things which seem to come “directly” from God; which are “immediately” produced by him - not as the things which occur on the land, which are the result of “growth,” and which are slowly developed. They seem in the solitariness and grandeur of the ocean to stand more directly in the presence of the great God.And his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 107:25

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 107:26

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 107:27

They reel to and fro - The word used here - חגג châgag - means to dance as in a circle; then, to reel, or be giddy as drunkards are.And stagger ... - This word means to move to and fro; to waver; to vacillate; and it is then applied to a man who cannot walk steadily - a drunkard. So the vessel, with the mariners on board, seems to stagger and reel in the storm.And are at their wit’s end - Margin, as in Hebrew, “All their wisdom is swallowed up.” That is, They have no skill to guide the vessel.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 107:28

Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble ... - See Psalms 107:6, Psalms 107:13, Psalms 107:19. Sailors pray. If they do not pray elsewhere, they often do in a storm, when in danger of being wrecked and lost. A storm at sea brings hundreds on their knees who never prayed before - for they feel that their only help is in God, and that it is a fearful thing to die. Then they do “right.” They do what “ought” to be done. But they do then only what people ought always to do, for it is as plain a... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 107:29

He maketh the storm a calm - God does this, and God only can do it. The fact, therefore, that Jesus did it Matthew 8:26, proves that he was divine. There can be no more striking proof of divine power than the ability to calm the raging waves of the ocean by a word. This is literally, “He places the tempest to silence.”So that the waves thereof are still - Are lulled. The ocean ceases to be agitated, and the surface becomes smooth. Nothing is more still than the ocean in a calm. Not a breath of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 107:30

Then are they glad because they be quiet - Because the storm subsides, and they have the feeling of safety from danger.So he bringeth them - Rather, “And he guides them.”Unto their desired haven - The word translated “haven” occurs nowhere else. By some it is rendered “shore,” but the word “haven” or “port” seems best to express the sense of the passage: “the haven of their desire.” No one can appreciate this fully who has not been long at sea, and who has not experienced the intense desire... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 107:31

Oh that men... - See Psalms 107:8, note; Psalms 107:15, note; Psalms 107:21, note. Assuredly they who are thus delivered from the dangers of the sea should praise the Lord; they who have seen the wonders of God on the great ocean should “never” forget God. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 107:32

Let them exalt him also - Let them lift up his name on high; let them make it conspicuous. The word means “to lift up,” and is applied to praise because we thus, as it were, “lift up” God, or make him conspicuous.In the congregation of the people - Not merely in private, but in public. As his doings are public and conspicuous - as they pertain to all - people should acknowledge him in their public capacity, or when assembled together.And praise him in the assembly of the elders - The old men;... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 107:23

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 107:24

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 107:25

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 107:26

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 107:27

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 107:28

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 107:29

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 107:30

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 107:31

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 107:32

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