Psa 107:23-30 | NETfull | STEP | Some traveled on the sea in ships, and carried cargo over the vast waters.

Psalms 107:23-30

23 ^{▼▼ Verses 23–30, which depict the Lord rescuing sailors from a storm at sea, do not seem to describe the exiles’ situation, unless the word picture is metaphorical. Perhaps the psalmist here broadens his scope and offers an example of God’s kindness to the needy beyond the covenant community.} Some traveled on ^{▼▼ Heb “those going down [into].”} the sea in ships,
and carried cargo over the vast waters. ^{▼▼ Heb “doers of work on the mighty waters.”}
24 They witnessed the acts of the Lord,
his amazing feats on the deep water.
25 He gave the order for a windstorm, ^{▼▼ Heb “he spoke and caused to stand a stormy wind.”}
and it stirred up the waves of the sea. ^{▼▼ Heb “and it stirred up its [i.e., the sea’s, see v. 23] waves.”}
26 They ^{▼▼ That is, the waves (see v. 25).} reached up to the sky,
then dropped into the depths.
The sailors’ strength ^{▼▼ Heb “their being”; traditionally “their soul” (referring to that of the sailors). This is sometimes translated “courage” (cf. NIV, NRSV).} left them ^{▼▼ Or “melted.”} because the danger was so great. ^{▼▼ Heb “from danger.”}
27 They swayed ^{▼▼ Only here does the Hebrew verb חָגַג (khagag; normally meaning “to celebrate”) carry the nuance “to sway.”} and staggered like a drunk,
and all their skill proved ineffective. ^{▼▼ The Hitpael of בָלַע (vala’) occurs only here in the OT. Traditionally the form is derived from the verbal root בלע (“to swallow”), but HALOT 135 s.v. III בלע understands a homonym here with the meaning “to be confused.”}
28 They cried out to the Lord in their distress;
he delivered them from their troubles.
29 He calmed the storm, ^{▼▼ Heb “he raised [the] storm to calm.”}
and the waves ^{▼▼ Heb “their waves.” The antecedent of the third masculine plural pronominal suffix is not readily apparent, unless it refers back to “waters” in v. 23.} grew silent.
30 The sailors ^{▼▼ Heb “they”; the referent (the sailors) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} rejoiced because the waves ^{▼▼ Heb “they”; the referent (the waves) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} grew quiet,
and he led them to the harbor ^{▼▼ The Hebrew noun occurs only here in the OT.} they desired.