Sailors Are Delivered From a Troubled Sea

Psalms 107:17–32
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Many were in terrible pain, and some were almost dead because of their foolish sins but they prayed and were rescued (vv. 17-19). He restored them by healing them with His word (v. 20). We should praise the Lord and sing joyful songs to tell what He has done (vv. 21-22).

The fourth and final segment of deliverance has to do with those that sail out into the sea in ships (v. 23). A great advantage for sailors is that “they see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep” (v. 24). The tempests and storms that suddenly arise on the sea cause great concern to even the most seasoned sailor. The psalmist pictures sailors at the complete mercy of God as they are tossed about by the raging sea (v. 25). As they attempt to ride out the storm, the ship seems to “mount up to the heaven” (v. 26) as it rises high on the crest of the waves. Then it “goes down again to the depths” of the sea between the waves. Regardless of how brave they might act, their toughness is broken by the command of God (v. 27). When man is at his wit’s end, he will call unto the Lord, and He will bring him out of his distress (v. 28). The Lord “makes the storm a calm, so that the waves are still” (v. 29). Regardless of how fierce the storm of life may get, when men cry out for help, “He brings them unto their desired haven” (v. 30) of rest. The psalmist reminds Israel of the dreadful time through which the nation has just passed, pointing out both the cause and the cure. The sailors prayed in their distress, and the Lord responded to their prayer. He quieted the sea and brought the sailors safely to their destination 

Application

We need to praise the Lord constantly for His love and for all the wonderful things He does for us (v. 31). We also need to make sure we are honoring the Lord when we meet with our leaders and those that we worship with (v. 32).