Psalms 107:23
Psalms 107:23 in Multiple Translations
Others went out to sea in ships, conducting trade on the mighty waters.
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
They that go down to the sea in ships, That do business in great waters;
Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business in the great waters;
Those who set sail in ships, crossing the seas to earn their living,
They that goe downe to the sea in ships, and occupie by the great waters,
Those going down [to] the sea in ships, Doing business in many waters,
Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business in great waters,
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business on great waters;
Some of them sailed in ships; they were selling things in ports throughout the world.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 107:23
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 107:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יוֹרְדֵ֣י
הַ֭/יָּם
בָּ/אֳנִיּ֑וֹת
עֹשֵׂ֥י
מְ֝לָאכָ֗ה
בְּ/מַ֣יִם
רַבִּֽים
יוֹרְדֵ֣י
yârad
H3381
to go down
V-Qal
הַ֭/יָּם
yâm
H3220
West
Art | N-ms
בָּ/אֳנִיּ֑וֹת
ʼŏnîyâh
H591
fleet
Prep | N-fp
עֹשֵׂ֥י
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal
מְ֝לָאכָ֗ה
mᵉlâʼkâh
H4399
work
N-fs
בְּ/מַ֣יִם
mayim
H4325
Water (Gate)
Prep | N-mp
רַבִּֽים
rab
H7227
many
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 107:23
יוֹרְדֵ֣י
yârad
H3381
"to go down"
V-Qal
To go down or descend, like going to a lower place or falling. It appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing people and things moving downwards.
Definition: 1) to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come down 1a2) to sink 1a3) to be prostrated 1a4) to come down (of revelation) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to bring down 1b2) to send down 1b3) to take down 1b4) to lay prostrate 1b5) to let down 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be brought down 1c2) to be taken down
Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. See also: Genesis 11:5; Judges 3:28; 2 Kings 1:15.
הַ֭/יָּם
yâm
H3220
"West"
Art | N-ms
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:9.
בָּ/אֳנִיּ֑וֹת
ʼŏnîyâh
H591
"fleet"
Prep | N-fp
The Hebrew word for ship or fleet is used in the Bible to describe a vessel that sails on the water. It appears in Numbers 24:24 and Proverbs 30:19, often referring to the men who sail on these ships, known as seamen.
Definition: 1) ship 1a) men of ships, seamen
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: ship(-men). See also: Genesis 49:13; Proverbs 30:19; Psalms 48:8.
עֹשֵׂ֥י
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
מְ֝לָאכָ֗ה
mᵉlâʼkâh
H4399
"work"
N-fs
Means work or employment, like a job or business, and is used to describe someone's occupation or the result of their labor, as seen in the Bible's description of various professions and industries.
Definition: 1) occupation, work, business 1a) occupation, business 1b) property 1c) work (something done or made) 1d) workmanship 1e) service, use 1f) public business 1f1) political 1f2) religious
Usage: Occurs in 149 OT verses. KJV: business, [phrase] cattle, [phrase] industrious, occupation, ([phrase] -pied), [phrase] officer, thing (made), use, (manner of) work((-man), -manship). See also: Genesis 2:2; 1 Chronicles 9:13; Psalms 73:28.
בְּ/מַ֣יִם
mayim
H4325
"Water (Gate)"
Prep | N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
רַבִּֽים
rab
H7227
"many"
Adj
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Definition: adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 443 OT verses. KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). See also: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 11:1; Psalms 3:2.
Study Notes — Psalms 107:23
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 107:23 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 107:23
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 107:23
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 107:23
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 107:23
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 107:23
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 107:23
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 107:23
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 107:23
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 107:23
- Sermons on Psalms 107:23
Context — Thanksgiving for Deliverance
21Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men.
22Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and declare His works with rejoicing.
23Others went out to sea in ships, conducting trade on the mighty waters.
24They saw the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep. 25For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Revelation 18:17 | For in a single hour such fabulous wealth has been destroyed!” Every shipmaster, passenger, and sailor, and all who make their living from the sea, will stand at a distance |
| 2 | Psalms 48:7 | With a wind from the east You wrecked the ships of Tarshish. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 27:26 | Your oarsmen have brought you onto the high seas, but the east wind will shatter you in the heart of the sea. |
| 4 | Acts 27:9–28 | By now much time had passed, and the voyage had already become dangerous because it was after the Fast. So Paul advised them, “Men, I can see that our voyage will be filled with disaster and great loss, not only to ship and cargo, but to our own lives as well.” But contrary to Paul’s advice, the centurion was persuaded by the pilot and by the owner of the ship. Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided to sail on, if somehow they could reach Phoenix to winter there. Phoenix was a harbor in Crete facing both southwest and northwest. When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had their opportunity. So they weighed anchor and sailed along, hugging the coast of Crete. But it was not long before a cyclone called the Northeaster swept down across the island. Unable to head into the wind, the ship was caught up. So we gave way and let ourselves be driven along. Passing to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we barely managed to secure the lifeboat. After hoisting it up, the crew used ropes to undergird the ship. And fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and were driven along. We were tossed so violently that the next day the men began to jettison the cargo. On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the great storm continued to batter us, we abandoned all hope of being saved. After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete. Then you would have averted this disaster and loss. But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because you will not experience any loss of life, but only of the ship. For just last night an angel of God, whose I am and whom I serve, stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And look, God has granted you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So take courage, men, for I believe God that it will happen just as He told me. However, we must run aground on some island.” On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea. About midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. They took soundings and found that the water was twenty fathoms deep. Going a little farther, they took another set of soundings that read fifteen fathoms. |
| 5 | Isaiah 42:10 | Sing to the LORD a new song— His praise from the ends of the earth— you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who dwell in them. |
Psalms 107:23 Summary
[This verse describes people who went out to sea in ships to conduct trade on the mighty waters. They were likely brave and skilled sailors who were able to navigate the powerful oceans and seas. As we read this verse, we can remember that God is the one who created the oceans and seas, and He is the one who gives us the ability to sail on them, as seen in Psalms 95:5 and Genesis 1:10. We can trust in God's power and provision, just like the sailors in this verse, and remember to give Him thanks and praise for all that He does for us, as seen in Psalms 107:21-22.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of trade were the people in Psalms 107:23 conducting on the mighty waters?
The Bible does not specify the exact type of trade, but it is likely that they were involved in shipping goods such as food, clothing, and other essential items, similar to the traders mentioned in Proverbs 31:14 and Ezekiel 27:12-24.
Why were the people in this verse going out to sea?
The people in Psalms 107:23 were going out to sea to conduct trade, which was a common practice in ancient times, as seen in 1 Kings 9:26-28 and Isaiah 2:16.
What does the phrase 'mighty waters' refer to in this verse?
The phrase 'mighty waters' refers to the oceans and seas, which were considered powerful and awe-inspiring, as seen in Psalms 104:25 and Isaiah 51:10.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
This verse is part of a larger section that describes the works of the Lord and how people respond to them, as seen in Psalms 107:21-22, and it sets the stage for the description of God's power over the seas in Psalms 107:24-25.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can trust God's provision and care in my own life, even when I am in uncertain or challenging situations?
- How can I cultivate a sense of awe and wonder at God's creation, as described in this verse?
- What are some ways that I can use my own skills and abilities to serve others and bring glory to God, as the traders in this verse were using their skills to conduct trade?
- How can I balance my desire for adventure and exploration with a sense of responsibility and obedience to God's will, as the people in this verse were doing by going out to sea to conduct trade?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 107:23
They that go down to the sea in ships,.... This is the fourth instance of persons in distress crying to the Lord for help, and, having it, are laid under obligation to praise him; the case of
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 107:23
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the Lord - another image of
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 107:23
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 or as mariners.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 107:23
Psalms 107:23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;Ver. 23. They that go down to the sea in ships] Here we have a fourth specimen or instance of God’ s gracious and wise dispensations towards men, in their trading or trafficking by sea. These are said to go down to sea, because the banks are above it; but the water is naturally higher than the land, and, therefore, sailors observe that their ships fly faster to the shore than from it. But what a bold man, saith the poet, was he that first put forth to sea! (Horat. Od. lib. 1, 3.) Illi robut, et aes triplex Circa pectus erat, qui fragilem truci Commisit pelago ratem Primus, nec timuit praecipitem Africum, &c. That do business in great waters] Merchants and mariners, who fish, and find almug, or coral, saith Kimchi, who do export and import commodities of all sorts.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 107:23
(23-32) Storm-tossed mariners.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 107:23
Verse 23. They that go down to the sea in ships] This is the FOURTH comparison. Their captivity was as dangerous and alarming as a dreadful tempest at sea to a weather-beaten mariner.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 107:23
23–32. A fourth example of Jehovah’s goodness, in the deliverance of sailors caught in a storm. The Targ.[62] refers it to the voyage of Jonah, and some expressions suggest that Jonah 1, 2 may have been in the poet’s mind; but the reference is quite general. Addison (Spectator, No. 489) comments on the sublimity of the Psalmist’s description of the storm. [62] Ed. Lagarde. The text in Walton’s Polyglott does not contain the gloss.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 107:23
They that go down to the sea in ships - The scene here changes again.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 107:23
23. Go down to the sea—The expression supposes the sea lower than the land, lying in hollow depths prepared for it. Job 38:10-11; Psalms 104:8; Isaiah 42:10.
Sermons on Psalms 107:23
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Blessing of Affliction by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the preacher shares a personal anecdote about a man named Brother Harry who initially struggled with his preaching. However, after surrendering to God, his life tur |
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Seeing Wonders by Gary Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the importance of surrendering to God and stepping out in faith, even in the midst of storms and challenges. It encourages believers to trust in God's plan f |
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Take, Bless, Break & Give by Michael Flowers | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the significance of the feeding of the 5,000, a story found in all four gospels. He emphasizes that this event is a sign, pointing to somethi |
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"Five Loaves and Two Fishes" Ch. 6:1-21 by Charles Alexander | In this sermon, the preacher delves into the significance of the miracles of the feeding of the five thousand and the walking on water in the Gospel of John, emphasizing the teachi |
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Christ the Savior From the Tempest. by John Gill | John Gill preaches on the account of the disciples' desperate plea to Jesus during a violent storm at sea, emphasizing their sense of imminent danger and their faith in Christ's ab |
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A Place Called Wits' End! by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the spiritual significance of reaching 'wit's end,' a state where human resources and understanding are exhausted, as illustrated in Psalms 107. He expla |
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Deep Faith by Charles E. Cowman | Charles E. Cowman preaches about the importance of facing trials and challenges in life, comparing them to sailing in the sea where every wind, whether north, south, east, or west, |