Psalm 107:23-27
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The phrase "go down to the sea" isn't just about physical location; it captures the immediate sense of descent from higher land, emphasizing the vulnerability of leaving solid ground for the vast, unpredictable depths. It highlights how their entire venture, their "business," is immediately placed at the mercy of a powerful, often dangerous, element.
Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep. For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage shifts focus to those who make their living on the sea, describing their voyages and the inherent dangers they face. It paints a vivid picture of mariners caught in violent storms, tossed about by immense waves, and feeling utterly helpless. The text then highlights how these perilous situations often drive them to cry out to God for rescue.
Why does the Bible say sailors 'go down' to the sea? It’s more than just a turn of phrase.
A Geographical Reality
The phrase "go down to the sea" isn't just poetic; for ancient Israelites, it was often a literal description. Many of them lived in the elevated, hilly regions of Judea. To reach the coastal cities and the Mediterranean Sea, they would have to travel downhill, a physical descent.
More Than Just a Trip
This isn't just about the journey to the coast, but also the experience of boarding a ship. Ships sit low in the water, and when you step onto one, you are indeed stepping down. This physical action subtly underscores the transition from the stability of land to the dynamic and potentially perilous environment of the sea.
When you think of seafaring, what comes to mind? This verse points to more than just adventure.
More Than Just Sailing
The phrase 'doing business on the great waters' broadens our understanding of why people were at sea. It wasn't just for exploration or military purposes, but significantly for economic activities.
Economic Enterprise
This refers to a range of occupations: merchants carrying goods between ports, fishermen earning their livelihood from the sea's bounty, and even the mariners themselves who were employed to navigate and manage the vessels. Their very lives and sustenance depended on these ventures on the water.
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Seafaring life is inherently unpredictable. This psalm reminds us who truly controls the waves.
The Power Behind the Storm
The psalm doesn't just describe a storm at sea; it reveals the divine hand orchestrating it. The text emphasizes that God 'speaks' and 'raises the stormy wind,' making it clear that these tempests are not random occurrences but subject to His command.
Human Helplessness and Divine Intervention
When the storm rages, human skill and strength are utterly useless. Mariners are tossed about, their senses overwhelmed, and their expertise fails. In this ultimate vulnerability, their only recourse is to cry out to the Lord. The psalm highlights that God's intervention is what brings the calm and deliverance, rescuing them from the brink of destruction.
Understand the original words
metsulah · Hebrew Noun
In this context, it represents the chaotic, dangerous, and untamable forces of creation over which only God holds sovereign control. In biblical thought, it is often associated with the realm of mystery and divine power.
amar · Hebrew Verb
The act of issuing a decree or authorization. When applied to God, it signifies His absolute authority over the elements of nature, which obey His word instantly.
ruach se'arah · Hebrew Noun phrase
A powerful, violent wind; in Scripture, it often serves as an instrument of divine judgment or a demonstration of God's immense power to stir the natural world.
shamayim · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the dwelling place of God, the sky, or the celestial sphere. In poetic contexts, it can symbolize the heights of extreme elevation or reach.
tehom · Hebrew Noun
A term referring to the place of the dead (Sheol) or the deep, chaotic waters. It represents the lowest point of existence, contrasting with the heights of heaven.
nephesh · Hebrew Noun
The inner resolve, spirit, or soul of a person. It is the seat of courage, will, and emotional stability.
ra'ah · Hebrew Noun
A term denoting distress, calamity, or a state of harmful misfortune. It describes a situation of suffering or affliction that tests the person's endurance.
This Psalm was likely written during a period when sea travel was a significant, albeit perilous, aspect of life for many, reflecting both the ancient Israelite involvement in maritime pursuits and the universal human experience of facing the unpredictable power of the sea.
c. 10th century BC
Solomon's Naval Expeditions
Under King Solomon, the Israelites began significant maritime trade, partnering with Phoenicians for expeditions to distant lands like Ophir. This marked a notable period of Israelite engagement with sea travel and commerce.
c. 8th century BC
Prophetic Warnings of Maritime Decline
Prophets like Isaiah spoke of God's judgment and restoration, sometimes alluding to the decline or eventual revival of Israel's naval presence, reflecting the shifting political and economic landscape.
c. 6th century BC
Exile and Loss of Maritime Access
Following the Babylonian conquest, Jewish maritime activity significantly diminished. The loss of coastal cities and access to ports like Joppa impacted their engagement with sea trade for an extended period.
c. 2nd century BC
Hasmonean Naval Development
The Hasmonean dynasty revived naval capabilities, building a fleet to defend their coasts and engage in maritime activities, demonstrating a re-emergence of Israelite sea power.
c. 1st century BC - 1st century AD— this verse
Roman Dominance of Mediterranean Trade
During this era, Rome controlled the Mediterranean, making sea travel and trade common, but under Roman authority. Jewish communities were involved in this broader commercial network.
This passage describes Jonah going down to Joppa to board a ship, mirroring the 'going down to the sea' imagery and the theme of embarking on a journey across waters for business or other purposes.
Matthew 8:23-27This account of Jesus calming the storm at sea powerfully illustrates God's direct control over the elements, paralleling the Psalmist's description of God raising and quieting the winds and waves experienced by sailors.
Isaiah 42:10This verse calls those who travel by sea to 'sing to the LORD a new song,' directly linking the experience of seafaring and its potential dangers or wonders with the act of praise and thanksgiving, much like Psalm 107.
Revelation 18:17This passage speaks of merchants and sailors crying out in fear when Babylon is judged, highlighting the 'doing business on great waters' aspect and the vulnerability of those whose livelihood depends on maritime trade.
bensonPsalms 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…
poolePsalms 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…
The phrase "go down to the sea" isn't just about physical location; it captures the immediate sense of descent from higher land, emphasizing the vulnerability of leaving solid ground for the vast, unpredictable depths. It highlights how their entire venture, their "business," is immediately placed at the mercy of a powerful, often dangerous, element.
This passage shifts focus to those who make their living on the sea, describing their voyages and the inherent dangers they face. It paints a vivid picture of mariners caught in violent storms, tossed about by immense waves, and feeling utterly helpless. The text then highlights how these perilous situations often drive them to cry out to God for rescue.
This passage shifts focus to those who make their living on the sea, describing their voyages and the inherent dangers they face. It paints a vivid picture of mariners caught in violent storms, tossed about by immense waves, and feeling utterly helpless. The text then highlights how these perilous situations often drive them to cry out to God for rescue.
"Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep. For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the s…" — The phrase "go down to the sea" isn't just about physical location; it captures the immediate sense of descent from higher land, emphasizing the vulnerability of leaving solid ground for the vast, un…
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Last reviewed October 2026
