Psalms 107:25

Authorized King James Version

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For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

Original Language Analysis

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר For he commandeth H559
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר For he commandeth
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 6
to say (used with great latitude)
וַֽ֭יַּעֲמֵד and raiseth H5975
וַֽ֭יַּעֲמֵד and raiseth
Strong's: H5975
Word #: 2 of 6
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
ר֣וּחַ wind H7307
ר֣וּחַ wind
Strong's: H7307
Word #: 3 of 6
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
סְעָרָ֑ה the stormy H5591
סְעָרָ֑ה the stormy
Strong's: H5591
Word #: 4 of 6
a hurricane
וַתְּרוֹמֵ֥ם which lifteth up H7311
וַתְּרוֹמֵ֥ם which lifteth up
Strong's: H7311
Word #: 5 of 6
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
גַּלָּֽיו׃ the waves H1530
גַּלָּֽיו׃ the waves
Strong's: H1530
Word #: 6 of 6
something rolled, i.e., a heap of stone or dung (plural ruins), by analogy, a spring of water (plural waves)

Analysis & Commentary

This verse describes God's sovereignty over storms. 'For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind' shows God's active control over weather. 'Commandeth' (amar, אָמַר) means He speaks, and it happens. 'Raiseth' (amad, עָמַד) means to cause to stand or arise. 'Stormy wind' (ruach searah, רוּחַ סְעָרָה) is tempest or hurricane-force wind. 'Which lifteth up the waves thereof' describes waves rising to terrifying heights. God's word controls storms—He commands and they arise. This demonstrates absolute sovereignty over nature. What terrifies humans obeys God instantly. The same power that speaks storms into existence can speak them into calm.

Historical Context

Throughout Scripture, God controls weather: flood (Genesis 6-7), plagues on Egypt, Red Sea parting, storm in Jonah 1, Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:39). God asks Job, 'Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?...Out of whose womb came the ice?' (Job 38:28-29). Weather reveals God's sovereignty and humanity's dependence. Climate isn't autonomous but subject to divine command.

Questions for Reflection