Psalms 107:23
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
Original Language Analysis
יוֹרְדֵ֣י
They that go down
H3381
יוֹרְדֵ֣י
They that go down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
1 of 7
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
הַ֭יָּם
to the sea
H3220
הַ֭יָּם
to the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
2 of 7
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
עֹשֵׂ֥י
that do
H6213
עֹשֵׂ֥י
that do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
4 of 7
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
מְ֝לָאכָ֗ה
business
H4399
מְ֝לָאכָ֗ה
business
Strong's:
H4399
Word #:
5 of 7
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
Historical Context
Ancient Israel wasn't primarily a seafaring nation (that was Phoenicia's role), but maritime trade occurred through ports like Joppa. Solomon's fleet sailed from Ezion-geber (1 Kings 9:26-28). Jonah's ship encountered God-sent storm (Jonah 1). By post-exilic period, Jewish diaspora included maritime traders. The imagery would resonate with international commerce experience. For Christians, Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41) fulfills this deliverance pattern.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's sovereignty extend over natural forces and human commerce?
- What does it mean that legitimate work can bring us to situations requiring divine intervention?
- How do Jesus' storm-calming miracles demonstrate His deity and power?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse begins the fourth rescue scenario: deliverance from storm at sea. 'They that go down to the sea in ships' describes mariners. 'That do business in great waters' uses melakah (מְלָאכָה), meaning work, business, or occupation. These are professional sailors conducting commerce on the ocean. This scenario differs from the previous three (wandering, imprisonment, sickness) by describing ordinary occupation meeting extraordinary peril. It teaches that even legitimate work can bring us to circumstances requiring God's intervention. God's sovereignty extends over natural forces and commercial endeavors.