For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to read this as simply describing a powerful storm, but the key here is the word "commanded." This isn't a storm that happens; it's a storm that obeys, revealing God's absolute authority even over the most chaotic elements, treating the raging sea as merely His spoken word and the waves as His obedient servants.
For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a psalm celebrating God's steadfast love and deliverance, focusing on those who travel by sea. It describes a terrifying storm where the waves rise dramatically, threatening to engulf the ship and its passengers. The psalm then shows how God commands the wind and waves, bringing a sudden calm and guiding the sailors to safety, highlighting His power over the chaotic forces of nature and His mercy toward those in distress.
Have you ever noticed how a word can change everything? For God, it's not just influence, it's absolute power.
The verse emphasizes that God 'commanded' the storm. This isn't like a general giving orders to soldiers; it's the divine creative word in action.
The Power of God's Word
In the beginning, God spoke, and the universe came into being (Genesis 1). His words carry inherent power to create and control. This same power is at play here. When the Psalmist says God 'commanded,' he means God spoke the wind into existence and willed the waves to rise.
Providence, Not Chance
This means the storm wasn't an accident or a random event. It was a deliberate act, under God's direct control. Whether for judgment, deliverance, or to reveal His might, God is the sovereign ruler over all natural forces.
The sea has always held a sense of mystery and immense power. This verse reveals who truly holds the reins.
The verse doesn't just mention wind; it highlights the dramatic effect it has: 'which lifted up the waves of the sea.' This paints a vivid picture of chaos and overwhelming power.
God's Waves
Interestingly, the original Hebrew can even be translated as 'His waves.' This emphasizes that even the turbulent, untamed ocean is ultimately subject to God's ownership and control. He doesn't just control the wind that the waves; He claims ownership of the waves themselves.
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The Scale of His Power
The imagery of waves being 'lifted up' suggests a scale that can dwarf human endeavors. When God commands the storm, the sea's response is colossal, reaching heights that inspire awe and terror. This isn't just a ripple; it's a demonstration of overwhelming, divine might.
Understand the original words
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.
This psalm highlights God's absolute power over nature, a vital truth for ancient sailors facing unpredictable seas and for all believers confronting life's turbulent challenges.
c. 1000 BC - 500 BC
Composition of the Psalter
The Book of Psalms, a collection of Hebrew worship poems and songs, was compiled over centuries. This psalm likely reflects experiences of ancient Israel, including seafaring in the Mediterranean.
c. 900 BC - 600 BC
Ancient Israelite Maritime Activity
While primarily an agricultural society, ancient Israelites engaged in some maritime trade and fishing, particularly along the Mediterranean coast. This provided a tangible context for experiencing the power of the sea.
c. 700 BC - 400 BC
Theological understanding of Divine Providence
During this era, Hebrew prophets and poets increasingly emphasized God's sovereign control over all aspects of creation, including natural phenomena like storms.
c. 500 BC - 300 BC— this verse
Theological understanding of Divine Command
The concept of God's word as a creative and commanding force, as seen in Genesis, became central. This psalm emphasizes that God's spoken command directly causes and controls the storm.
This passage parallels God's command over the sea, showing how He sets boundaries that even the most powerful waves cannot overcome.
Matthew 8:23-27This New Testament account shows Jesus directly commanding a storm, demonstrating His divine authority over the elements, just as Psalm 107:25 depicts God's sovereign power.
Jonah 1:4-15This narrative illustrates the immediate and powerful response of the sea to God's decree, causing a storm that directly impacts sailors, similar to the context of Psalm 107.
Mark 4:35-41This passage recounts Jesus calming a violent storm with a word, highlighting the same theme of God's absolute control over natural forces as seen in Psalm 107.
clarkePsalms 107:25: "For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof."
For he commandeth - And what less than the command of God can raise up such winds as seem to heave old Ocean from his bed?
poolePsalms 107:25: "For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof."
The winds and storms come not by chance, but by the disposition of Divine Providence.
It's easy to read this as simply describing a powerful storm, but the key here is the word "commanded." This isn't a storm that happens; it's a storm that obeys, revealing God's absolute authority even over the most chaotic elements, treating the raging sea as merely His spoken word and the waves as His obedient servants.
This passage is part of a psalm celebrating God's steadfast love and deliverance, focusing on those who travel by sea. It describes a terrifying storm where the waves rise dramatically, threatening to engulf the ship and its passengers. The psalm then shows how God commands the wind and waves, bringing a sudden calm and guiding the sailors to safety, highlighting His power over the chaotic forces of nature and His mercy toward those in distress.
This passage is part of a psalm celebrating God's steadfast love and deliverance, focusing on those who travel by sea. It describes a terrifying storm where the waves rise dramatically, threatening to engulf the ship and its passengers. The psalm then shows how God commands the wind and waves, bringing a sudden calm and guiding the sailors to safety, highlighting His power over the chaotic forces of nature and His mercy toward those in distress.
"For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea." — It's easy to read this as simply describing a powerful storm, but the key here is the word "commanded." This isn't a storm that happens; it's a storm that obeys, revealing God's absolute authorit…
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Last reviewed October 2026