Psalms 107:23 Meaning Explained

Psalms 107:23

Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters;

English Standard Version (ESV)

The phrase "go down to the sea" isn't just a literal description of travel, but vividly captures the ancient perspective of looking out from higher ground towards the sea, conveying a sense of descent and embarking on an unknown journey. It also highlights the inherent danger and vastness mariners faced, making their reliance on God all the more profound.

What Psalms 107:23 means

This section of Psalm 107 shifts to a new group of people experiencing God's deliverance: sailors. It describes those who make their living by traveling the seas, highlighting the inherent dangers and the profound awe they must feel witnessing God's power over the elements. Following this description, the psalm will detail the terrifying experience of a storm at sea and the miraculous rescue that follows.

The Descent into the Deep

Ever wonder why the Bible talks about 'going down' to the sea? It’s more than just a journey; it's a perspective shift.

The phrase "go down to the sea" paints a vivid picture!

A Literal Descent

When ancient Israelites, living in the elevated hills of Judea, traveled to the coast, they literally went down to the sea. This wasn't just a travel note; it emphasized the transition from familiar, stable land to the vast, unpredictable ocean.

A Change in Perspective

This 'going down' also signifies a shift in human experience. Away from the solid ground of everyday life, people are exposed to a different realm, one where God's power is often more dramatically revealed.

Business and God's Wonders

We often see business and faith as separate, but this verse links commercial activity directly to witnessing God's power.

This verse isn't just about travel; it's about purpose and divine revelation.

Purposeful Journeys

"Doing business on the great waters" points to the commercial aspect of sea travel—merchants trading goods, fishermen providing sustenance. These weren't just aimless voyages; they had specific goals and livelihoods attached.

Revelation in Routine

But the psalm connects this business directly to seeing "the works of the Lord." The vastness, the dangers, the sheer power of the ocean—these weren't just background elements for commerce. For those present, especially during storms, they became undeniable displays of God's might and providence. Every successful voyage, and especially every perilous one survived, was a testament to His power.

Historical context

Written: Likely composed during the monarchy period, between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.
Author: Traditionally attributed to King David, though the authorship of many Psalms is debated among scholars.
Location: Likely written from Jerusalem, and describes seafaring, possibly referencing Phoenician or broader Mediterranean trade routes familiar to Israelites.
Genre: Poetry, specifically a Psalm. It features vivid imagery and descriptive language to convey emotional and spiritual truth.

Historical background

This verse paints a vivid picture of ancient mariners, likely familiar to the Psalmist's audience, who relied on the sea for business and travel. The ancient world understood the dangers and wonders of maritime life, making this description of God's power over storms deeply relevant.

~3000 BC - 500 BC
Ancient Maritime Trade Flourishes
From the Phoenicians to the Greeks and Romans, maritime trade was crucial for economies, with established sea routes across the Mediterranean and beyond. This made seafaring a vital, albeit dangerous, occupation.
c. 1000 BC
Israelite Maritime Ventures
Solomon establishes a navy at Ezion-geber, on the Red Sea, for trade with distant lands like Ophir, indicating that seafaring and international commerce were part of Israelite life.
c. 700 BC
Joppa as a Key Port
The port city of Joppa (modern Tel Aviv) served as a crucial gateway for maritime trade for the Israelites, facilitating both imports and exports.
c. 400 BC— this verse
Jonah's Flight to Tarshish
The prophet Jonah's attempt to flee from the Lord by taking a ship from Joppa to Tarshish highlights the common practice of sea travel and the inherent risks involved, even for those familiar with the sea.

Key themes

01Human enterprise and sea
02Divine power over nature
03Seafarers' peril and prayer

Cross-references

Jonah 1:3

This passage directly mirrors the language of going down to sea in ships, highlighting the perilous nature of such journeys and the human tendency to flee from God's presence.

Matthew 8:23-27

This New Testament account shows Jesus calming a fierce storm at sea, demonstrating His ultimate authority over the elements and offering a parallel to God's power to still the waves mentioned in Psalm 107.

Isaiah 42:10

This prophetic passage calls for praise to God from those who travel by sea and inhabit its coasts, echoing the theme of maritime journeys and divine providence in Psalm 107.

Revelation 18:17

This verse describes merchants and sailors lamenting the fall of a great city, indicating the significant economic and commercial activity associated with seafaring throughout biblical times.

Scholarly commentary

Psalms 107:23: "They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;"

Psalm 107:23-27 . They that go down to the sea in ships — He says go down, because the sea is lower than the earth, as appears by the rivers which run down into it; that do business in great waters — Whose occupation lies there as mariners, merchants, or fisher-men; or, who go to take ship as passengers. These see the works of the Lord — His wonderful works, either, 1st, Of creation, such as fishes of vari…
benson

Psalms 107:23: "They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;"

Go down to the sea; he saith go down , either because the sea or the shore of it is commonly lower than their habitations from whence they come, or than the natural or artificial banks which are raised to prevent the inundation of the waters; or because the sea is lower than the earth, as may be gathered from the rivers which run down into it. Do business; whose occupation lies there, either as merchants o…
poole

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What Psalms 107:23 means

Historical context

Written: Likely composed during the monarchy period, between the 10th and 5th centuries BC.
Author: Traditionally attributed to King David, though the authorship of many Psalms is debated among scholars.
Location: Likely written from Jerusalem, and describes seafaring, possibly referencing Phoenician or broader Mediterranean trade routes familiar to Israelites.
Genre: Poetry, specifically a Psalm. It features vivid imagery and descriptive language to convey emotional and spiritual truth.

Historical background

~3000 BC - 500 BC

Ancient Maritime Trade Flourishes

From the Phoenicians to the Greeks and Romans, maritime trade was crucial for economies, with established sea routes across the Mediterranean and beyond. This made seafaring a vital, albeit dangerous, occupation.

c. 1000 BC

Israelite Maritime Ventures

Solomon establishes a navy at Ezion-geber, on the Red Sea, for trade with distant lands like Ophir, indicating that seafaring and international commerce were part of Israelite life.

c. 700 BC

Joppa as a Key Port

The port city of Joppa (modern Tel Aviv) served as a crucial gateway for maritime trade for the Israelites, facilitating both imports and exports.

c. 400 BC— this verse

Jonah's Flight to Tarshish

The prophet Jonah's attempt to flee from the Lord by taking a ship from Joppa to Tarshish highlights the common practice of sea travel and the inherent risks involved, even for those familiar with the sea.