Psalms 107:27
They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.
Original Language Analysis
יָח֣וֹגּוּ
They reel to and fro
H2287
יָח֣וֹגּוּ
They reel to and fro
Strong's:
H2287
Word #:
1 of 6
properly, to move in a circle, i.e., (specifically) to march in a sacred procession, to observe a festival; by implication, to be giddy
וְ֭יָנוּעוּ
and stagger
H5128
וְ֭יָנוּעוּ
and stagger
Strong's:
H5128
Word #:
2 of 6
to waver, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (as subjoined)
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 6
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Job 12:25They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.Isaiah 29:9Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.Isaiah 19:14The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit.Isaiah 19:3And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.
Historical Context
Jonah's experienced sailors tried every technique before crying to God (Jonah 1:5, 13). Even after throwing cargo overboard, they couldn't save the ship—only God's intervention (through Jonah) calmed the storm. Paul's shipwreck included experienced sailors whose efforts failed (Acts 27:15-20). The phrase 'at their wits' end' entered English from this verse, capturing the moment when human resources are exhausted.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God sometimes bring us to 'wits' end' where human wisdom fails?
- How does exhausting human solutions prepare hearts to cry out to God?
- What modern circumstances bring people to realize human expertise is insufficient?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse continues describing sailors' extremity. 'They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man' depicts inability to stand as the ship pitches wildly. The comparison to drunkenness emphasizes loss of control and coordination. 'And are at their wits' end' translates kol chakhmah titbala (כָּל־חָכְמָתָם תִּתְבַּלָּע), literally 'all their wisdom is swallowed up'—their expertise, experience, and seamanship are useless. Professional mariners, skilled in navigation and weather, reach the limit of human ability. This teaches that there are circumstances where human wisdom, skill, and strength are completely insufficient. Only then do we truly cry out to God.