Psalms 89:9
Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.
Original Language Analysis
הַיָּ֑ם
of the sea
H3220
הַיָּ֑ם
of the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
4 of 8
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
Cross References
Psalms 65:7Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.Mark 4:41And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?Mark 4:39And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.Psalms 29:10The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.Nahum 1:4He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.Matthew 14:32And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
Historical Context
Israel had minimal seafaring tradition and viewed the sea with fear and suspicion. Unlike maritime nations who deified the ocean, Israel worshiped the God who commanded it. The Red Sea crossing and Jordan River parting were defining national memories of God's power over threatening waters.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'raging seas' (circumstances, emotions, relationships) in your life need to be stilled by Christ's word?
- How does Jesus calming the literal storm inform your faith when facing metaphorical storms?
- In what ways does recognizing God's sovereignty over chaos change your response to uncertainty?
Analysis & Commentary
Thou rulest the raging of the sea (אַתָּה מוֹשֵׁל בְּגֵאוּת הַיָּם)—Moshel (rule, have dominion) over the ge'ut (pride, swelling, arrogance) of yam (sea) demonstrates sovereignty over chaos. In ancient Near Eastern mythology, the sea represented primordial chaos gods; here, Yahweh alone controls the raging waters. When the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them (בְּשֹׂוא גַלָּיו אַתָּה תְשַׁבְּחֵם)—Shabach (to still, calm) shows God's effortless mastery over violent natural forces.
This imagery appears throughout Scripture: God's Spirit hovering over chaotic waters (Genesis 1:2), God parting the Red Sea (Exodus 14), Jonah in the storm (Jonah 1), and supremely Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:39), proving His deity. The disciples' question 'What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?' reveals recognition of divine power. For New Testament believers, this assures us that no chaos—circumstantial, emotional, or spiritual—exceeds Christ's sovereign control.