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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 107:23-32

The psalmist here calls upon those to give glory to God who are delivered from dangers at sea. Though the Israelites dealt not much in merchandise, yet their neighbours the Tyrians and Zidonians did, and for them perhaps this part of the psalm was especially calculated. I. Much of the power of God appears at all times in the sea, Ps. 107:23, 24. It appears to those that go down to the sea in ships, as mariners, merchants, fishermen, or passengers, that do business in great waters. And surely... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 107:23

They that go down to the sea in ships ,.... This is the fourth instance of persons in distress crying to the Lord for help, and, having it, are laid under obligation to praise him; the case of seafaring men: so the Targum introduces it, "mariners that go down to the sea in ships;' the same form of expression as here is used in Isaiah 42:10 . Some affirm the sea to be higher than the earth, but by this it should be lower; besides the earth is said to be founded on the seas, which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 107:24

These see the works of the Lord ,.... In creation, the sea itself, its flux and reflux; the creatures in it, fishes of various forms and sizes: and in providence, in preserving ships and men in the most imminent danger, and even to a miracle; sometimes causing the wind to change or to subside in a moment, whereby deliverance is wrought. And his wonders in the deep ; the strange and wonderful creatures that are in the deep waters of the sea, and to be seen nowhere else; and the amazing... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 107:25

For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind ,.... Winds are not raised by men, nor by devils, nor by angels, but by the Lord himself; who has created them, holds them in his fist, brings them out of his treasures, and sends them forth to do his will; if he speaks the word, gives but the order, a storm arises at once, and executes what he pleases, Psalm 148:8 . Which lifteth up the waves thereof ; that is, the waves of the sea; it comes down into it, and causes surges; which rise... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 107:26

They mount up to the heaven ,.... The waves which are lifted up by the stormy wind, and the ships which are upon them, and the men in them. They go down again to the depths : one while they seem to reach the skies, and presently they are down, as it were, in the bottom of the sea, and are threatened to be buried in the midst of it; distress at sea is described in much the same language by Virgil and Ovid F13 "Tollimur in coelum", Virgil. Aeneid 3. prope finem. "Coelumque aequare... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 107:23

They that go down to the sea in ships - This is the Fourth comparison. Their captivity was as dangerous and alarming as a dreadful tempest at sea to a weather-beaten mariner. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 107:24

These see the works of the Lord - Splendid, Divinely impressive, and glorious in fine weather. His wonders in the deep - Awfully terrible in a tempest. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 107:25

For he commandeth - And what less than the command of God can raise up such winds as seem to heave old Ocean from his bed? read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 107:26

They mount up to the heaven - This is a most natural and striking description of the state of a ship at sea in a storm: when the sea appears to run mountains high, and the vessel seems for a moment to stand on the sharp ridge of one most stupendous, with a valley of a frightful depth between it and a similar mountain, which appears to be flying in the midst of heaven, that it may submerge the hapless bark, when she descends into the valley of death below. This is a sight the most terrific... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 107:23

Verse 23 23.They that go down to the sea in ships Here we have another instance of God’s superintending care towards mankind pointed out to us by the prophet, exemplified in the bringing of those who are shipwrecked to the harbour, and this, too, as if he had raised them from the depth and darkness of the tomb, and brought them to live in the light of day. I do not understand what is here said about those who are accustomed to navigate the ocean seeing the wonders of God, as referring generally... read more

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