By the east wind you shattered the ships of Tarshish.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse isn't describing a literal historical event of ships being destroyed; it's a powerful metaphor. The psalmist uses the image of the mighty "ships of Tarshish," symbols of great wealth and power, being shattered by an east wind to emphasize the overwhelming and sudden way God can dismantle the forces that oppose Him. This isn't just about naval battles, but about the utter helplessness of human might against divine power.
By the east wind you shattered the ships of Tarshish.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalm celebrates God's protection of Jerusalem, picturing the enemy kings assembling with their mighty armies, only to be struck with terror and flee in disarray. This sudden defeat is compared to the destructive power of a fierce east wind shattering ships, illustrating God's overwhelming might against those who oppose His people. The psalmist uses this vivid imagery to emphasize that this victory wasn't due to human strength but entirely to God's intervention.
Ever feel like you're battling against impossible odds? This verse paints a picture of overwhelming destruction. But what's really behind it?
When the Bible mentions a powerful storm, it's often more than just a weather report. It's a picture of God's active power against His enemies.
Divine Power Unleashed
The 'east wind' here isn't just bad luck; it's a symbol of God's forceful intervention. Think of how the Red Sea parted or how a mighty wind can wreck even the strongest ships. This isn't a natural disaster; it's a divine declaration of judgment and power.
The Ultimate Illustration
'Ships of Tarshish' were the luxury liners of their day – large, strong, and built for long voyages. For them to be shattered by an east wind speaks volumes. It shows that even the most formidable human endeavors, when set against God, are fragile and can be utterly destroyed.
The enemies of God's people were a serious threat. How does this verse capture the totality of their defeat?
This verse serves as a powerful metaphor for the complete destruction of God's enemies. It’s not just about sinking ships; it's about the utter ruin of those who oppose God's purposes.
Swift and Sudden Destruction
The image of ships being broken by a fierce wind conveys a sense of suddenness and unexpectedness. Enemies who seemed strong and invincible could be brought down in an instant.
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Beyond Military Defeat
This destruction implies more than just a lost battle. It suggests the loss of resources, pride, and any perceived security the enemies had. Their might is rendered useless against God's power.
Understand the original words
'oniyyôth tarshîsh · Hebrew Noun phrase
Ships of Tarshish refer to large, ocean-going merchant vessels, likely named for their destination (Tarshish). Biblically, they represent human wealth, power, and commercial might that is ultimately subject to the sovereignty of God.
While Psalm 48 celebrates a miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem, the specific historical event it recalls remains debated. The mention of "ships of Tarshish" shattered by an east wind, though not necessarily a literal naval event at Jerusalem's doorstep, serves as a powerful metaphor. It likely alludes to God's overwhelming power to destroy distant enemies and their means of wealth and power, possibly referencing historical events like the destruction of Sennacherib's army or even earlier naval disasters, reminding listeners that no human power or sea-faring might can stand against God's might.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
King Sennacherib of Assyria attacks and besieces Jerusalem during the reign of King Hezekiah. The city is miraculously delivered by a divine intervention that decimates the Assyrian army overnight.
c. 605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, attacks Jerusalem and deports a portion of the Jewish population, including members of the royal family, to Babylon.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the remaining population to Babylon. This event marks a profound crisis for Jewish identity and faith.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, and shortly thereafter, he issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple.
c. 90 BC - 50 BC
Rise of Roman Influence
The Roman Republic expands its influence throughout the Mediterranean, gradually absorbing territories that were once part of ancient empires, including regions associated with the sea trade of Tarshish.
This passage describes God using an 'east wind' to divide the Red Sea, allowing Israel to escape Pharaoh's pursuing army. It shows God's powerful use of wind as a weapon to bring deliverance and destruction, paralleling the verse's imagery.
Isaiah 27:8This verse speaks of God contending with Israel's enemies, 'driving them away with his fierce wind in the day of the east wind.' It directly connects the 'east wind' with God's judgment and scattering of His foes, much like the psalm.
Job 30:14While not about ships, this verse uses the imagery of God breaking things apart 'as a wide breach' and 'under them rolling away.' It reflects the concept of sudden, overwhelming destruction that scatters and breaks apart what seemed strong.
Ezekiel 27:26This passage describes a powerful trading nation whose ships are brought down by a storm: 'Your rowers brought you into great waters. The east wind shattered you in the heart of the seas.' This highlights the vulnerability of even the strongest maritime ventures to divine power.
Matthew 8:27During a storm at sea, Jesus rebuked the wind and waves, and there was 'a great and sudden calm.' This shows Jesus' authority over natural forces, demonstrating a divine power to both unleash and quell storms, which echoes the psalm's depiction of God's control over the east wind.
gillPsalms 48:7: "Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind."
Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with east wind. This is either another simile, expressing the greatness of the dread and fear that shall now seize the kings of the earth; which will be, as Kimchi observes, as if they were smitten with a strong east wind, which breaks the ships of Tarshish; and to the same purpose is the note of Aben Ezra; who says, the psalmist compares the pain that shall take hold upon them to an east w…
poolePsalms 48:7: "Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind."
This is not reported as a matter of fact, for we read of no ships in those expeditions to which this Psalm relates, nor did any ships come near Jerusalem, because that was at a great distance from the sea, and from any navigable river running into the sea; but only added by way of illustration or allusion. The sense is, Thou didst no less violently and suddenly destroy these proud and raging enemies of Jerusalem, than sometim…
The verse isn't describing a literal historical event of ships being destroyed; it's a powerful metaphor. The psalmist uses the image of the mighty "ships of Tarshish," symbols of great wealth and power, being shattered by an east wind to emphasize the overwhelming and sudden way God can dismantle the forces that oppose Him. This isn't just about naval battles, but about the utter helplessness of human might against divine power.
The psalm celebrates God's protection of Jerusalem, picturing the enemy kings assembling with their mighty armies, only to be struck with terror and flee in disarray. This sudden defeat is compared to the destructive power of a fierce east wind shattering ships, illustrating God's overwhelming might against those who oppose His people. The psalmist uses this vivid imagery to emphasize that this victory wasn't due to human strength but entirely to God's intervention.
The psalm celebrates God's protection of Jerusalem, picturing the enemy kings assembling with their mighty armies, only to be struck with terror and flee in disarray. This sudden defeat is compared to the destructive power of a fierce east wind shattering ships, illustrating God's overwhelming might against those who oppose His people. The psalmist uses this vivid imagery to emphasize that this victory wasn't due to human strength but entirely to God's intervention.
"By the east wind you shattered the ships of Tarshish." — The verse isn't describing a literal historical event of ships being destroyed; it's a powerful metaphor. The psalmist uses the image of the mighty "ships of Tarshish," symbols of great wealth and po…
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Last reviewed October 2026