They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;

PSALMS 107:23KJV
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Psalms 107:23 (KJV)

What does Psalms 107:23 mean?

Psalms 107:23 describes people who travel by ship on the sea, carrying out their work or trade in the vast waters. The verse highlights those whose lives and livelihoods depend on venturing into the open, unpredictable sea.

The psalm is recounting different groups of people and the situations they face, showing how God is involved in all kinds of human experiences. Here, the focus is on sailors or merchants who risk the dangers of the sea as part of their daily business, setting the stage for the verses that follow, which describe the challenges and wonders they encounter.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 107:23

  • "down" (יָרַד, yarad): This word often means to go down or descend, and here it paints a vivid picture of people physically going down from land to the lower level of the sea, emphasizing the transition from safety to the unknown.
  • "sea" (יָם, yam): This term refers to the sea, which in ancient Israelite thought was often seen as a place of chaos and danger, not just a body of water.
  • "business" (מְלָאכָה, melakhah): This word means work, occupation, or trade, highlighting that these people are not traveling for leisure but for their livelihood, facing real risks as part of their daily responsibilities.
  • "great" (רַב, rav): This word means many or great, stressing the vastness and power of the waters, which adds to the sense of awe and potential danger faced by those who travel there.

Why Psalms 107:23 matters

  • This verse sets up a story about human vulnerability and dependence on God, especially for those whose work takes them into risky or uncontrollable environments.
  • It helps the reader see that the psalm is not just about one kind of person or trouble, but about a wide range of human experiences, including the challenges of trade and travel.
  • By mentioning the sea and great waters, the verse connects to ancient ideas about the sea as a symbol of chaos, making the following verses about God’s deliverance even more striking.

Where else these words appear

“ships” Hebrew H591 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 49:13 Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon.
  • 2 Chronicles 20:37 Then Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the LORD hath broken thy works. And the ships were broken, that they were not able to go to Tarshish.
  • Isaiah 43:14 Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.

“business” Hebrew H4399 · used in 149 verses

  • Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
  • Numbers 28:26 Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the LORD, after your weeks be out, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work:
  • 2 Chronicles 24:12 And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the LORD, and also such as wrought iron and brass to mend the house of the LORD.