Psalms 107:23-32

Psalms 107:23-32

[23] They that go down  to the sea  in ships,  that do  business  in great  waters;  [24] These see  the works  of the LORD,  and his wonders  in the deep.  [25] For he commandeth,  and raiseth  the stormy  wind,  which lifteth up  the waves  thereof. [26] They mount up  to the heaven,  they go down  again to the depths:  their soul  is melted  because of trouble.  [27] They reel to and fro,  and stagger  like a drunken man,  and are at their wits'  end.  [28] Then they cry  in their trouble,  and he bringeth them out  of their distresses.  [29] He maketh  the storm  a calm,  so that the waves  thereof are still.  [30] Then are they glad  because they be quiet;  so he bringeth  them unto their desired  haven.  [31] Oh that men would praise  the LORD  for his goodness,  and for his wonderful works  to the children  of men!  [32] Let them exalt  him also in the congregation  of the people,  and praise  him in the assembly  of the elders. 

What does Psalms 107:23-32 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Fourth, God delivered sailors when they cried out to Him in storms. He calmed the seas and brought them safely to their ports (cf. Matthew 8:23-27; Luke 8:22-25). This, too, demands public praise from those who were rescued.
"The thank offering of the Psalm appears to be one pledged by the worshiper during or after some zero hour of his life. On the basis of Psalm 107 the rabbis spoke of four occasions when the thank offering was appropriate: safe return from a voyage ( Psalm 107:23-32), safe return from a desert journey ( Psalm 107:4-9), recovery from illness ( Psalm 107:17-22), and release from prison ( Psalm 107:10-16)." [1]