Psalm 107 24

Psalm 107:24 kjv

These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.

Psalm 107:24 nkjv

They see the works of the LORD, And His wonders in the deep.

Psalm 107:24 niv

They saw the works of the LORD, his wonderful deeds in the deep.

Psalm 107:24 esv

they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep.

Psalm 107:24 nlt

They, too, observed the LORD's power in action,
his impressive works on the deepest seas.

Psalm 107 24 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Gen 1:2The Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters and the deep.God's initial dominion over primeval chaos.
Ex 14:21-22The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind... and the waters were divided.God's miraculous parting of the Red Sea, a direct work in the deep.
Ps 29:3-4The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders; the Lord is over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful.God's voice (power) dominating vast waters.
Ps 65:5-7By awesome deeds You answer us... You who still the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves...God's awesome deeds include quieting the sea's commotion.
Ps 89:9You rule the surging sea; when its waves rise, You still them.God's complete mastery over the most powerful ocean forces.
Ps 104:6-9The waters stood above the mountains... they fled at Your rebuke; at the sound of Your thunder they hurried away.God's power in creation, establishing limits for the waters.
Isa 50:2I dry up the sea; I make the rivers a desert.Divine power over all water bodies.
Job 38:8-11Who enclosed the sea with doors, when it burst out from the womb... and prescribed limits for it...?God setting boundaries for the vast, uncontrollable deep.
Mt 8:26-27He rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm... What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey Him?Jesus demonstrating divine power over storms, paralleling Psalm 107.
Mk 4:39He woke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased...Christ's sovereignty over nature, a clear "wonder."
Jn 6:19-21When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea...Jesus walking on water, a powerful demonstration of dominion.
Ps 92:5How great are Your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep.Acknowledging the grandeur of God's deeds.
Ps 111:2-4Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. Splendid and majestic is His work, and His righteousness endures forever. He has caused His wondrous works to be remembered.God's works are worthy of study and remembrance.
Job 9:10Who does great things past finding out, and wonders without number.God's works are beyond full human comprehension.
Isa 28:29This also comes from the Lord of hosts; He is wonderful in counsel and great in wisdom.Divine wisdom is the source of wonderful deeds.
Jer 32:17Ah, Lord God! It is You who made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for You.God's unlimited power manifest in creation and great deeds.
Rom 1:20For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen...God's attributes revealed through what He has made.
Ps 77:11I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old.A conscious decision to recall and dwell on God's mighty acts.
Ps 107:8Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love, for His wondrous works to the children of men!A recurring theme in Ps 107: seeing God's works leads to thanks.
Ps 107:28Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress.The context shows distress and cry for help before observing His great power.
Rev 15:3Great and amazing are Your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are Your ways...Praise to God for His amazing deeds, even in end-times worship.
Ps 107:31Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love, for His wondrous works to the children of men!Another call to thanks, showing the appropriate response to His deeds.

Psalm 107 verses

Psalm 107 24 Meaning

The verse states that those who undertake voyages on the sea, particularly mariners, observe firsthand the magnificent and powerful actions of the Lord, especially His miraculous and awe-inspiring deeds in the depths of the ocean. It highlights the divine sovereignty and presence that becomes unmistakably apparent in the face of nature's vastness and the overwhelming forces of the deep, a realm where human control and understanding are inherently limited.

Psalm 107 24 Context

Psalm 107 is a unique psalm of thanksgiving, structured around four distinct groups of people who experienced dire distress and then received divine deliverance: wanderers in the wilderness, prisoners in darkness and chains, those suffering illness due to their folly, and mariners caught in raging storms. Each section recounts their predicament, their cry to the Lord, His rescue, and a concluding call to give thanks for His steadfast love and wondrous works. Verse 24 is part of the fourth narrative (vv. 23-32), which depicts sailors experiencing a terrifying tempest. Having ventured onto the open sea (v. 23), a realm beyond human control, these mariners are depicted as being in a unique position to observe God's power. Their very profession puts them into contact with the raw forces of nature, providing an arena where God's ultimate sovereignty is spectacularly demonstrated through His control over the wind and waves. The psalmist implies that experiencing such dangers, and witnessing God's intervention, leads to a profound understanding of His majestic "works" and "wonders."

Psalm 107 24 Word analysis

  • They: Refers directly to "those who go down to the sea in ships" from the preceding verse (v. 23), primarily mariners or seafarers. More broadly, in the context of Psalm 107's overall message, "they" can also represent anyone who experiences life's profound depths or overwhelming challenges, wherein God's power becomes manifest.
  • see: Hebrew: ra'ah (רָאָה). This is not merely passive observation with the eyes, but an active, conscious perception. It implies understanding, apprehending, and experiencing something profoundly. The seeing leads to an acknowledgment and realization of divine presence and action. It's a witnessing that impacts one's inner being.
  • the works: Hebrew: ma'aseh (מַעֲשֶׂה), meaning deeds, actions, or accomplishments. Used in the plural (ma'aseh) to denote a multitude and variety of God's creative acts and providential dealings. These are the active manifestations of God's power and wisdom in the natural world.
  • of the Lord: Hebrew: YHWH (יהוה). This is God's covenant name, signifying His personal, relational, and unchanging character. It emphasizes that these great works and wonders are performed by the one true, sovereign, and faithful God of Israel, setting Him apart from any perceived or false deities of the ancient world.
  • and his wonders: Hebrew: niphla'ot (נִפְלָאוֹת), the plural of niphla, meaning miraculous, extraordinary, astonishing deeds. These are acts that transcend human ability and understanding, evoking awe and amazement. While "works" might include God's regular providence, "wonders" refers specifically to His inexplicable, supernatural interventions, such as calming a furious storm.
  • in the deep: Hebrew: bammatsuloth (בַּמְּצוּלוֹת), derived from m'tsulah, meaning depths, abysses, or deep places. It refers to the physical depths of the ocean, a place traditionally associated with great danger, mystery, and forces beyond human control. This setting accentuates the magnitude of God's power, as it is displayed where humanity is most helpless and vulnerable. It also carries a polemical overtone, showing YHWH's absolute control over a realm often deified or feared in ancient Near Eastern myths.
  • They see the works... and His wonders: This phrase emphasizes the self-revelation of God. He is not a hidden deity but actively displays His character and power through His actions in creation and providence. This display is observable by humanity, calling forth a response of recognition and worship.
  • the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep: This specific phrasing connects God's active, powerful deeds directly to the most formidable and chaotic parts of creation. It demonstrates God's universal sovereignty, affirming that no place, no force, no circumstance is outside His supreme control. The "deep" serves as a stage for His most awe-inspiring demonstrations.

Psalm 107 24 Bonus section

The concept of "the deep" extends beyond literal ocean waters; it can symbolize profound distress, overwhelming trials, or perilous circumstances in life where human solutions fail and only divine intervention can bring peace or deliverance. In these moments of extreme vulnerability, the "works and wonders of the Lord" are most clearly seen and deeply appreciated. The psalmist highlights a crucial lesson: great adversity, particularly when met with a cry to God, often serves as a unique arena for witnessing His saving power. The "seeing" mentioned is not merely visual but experiential and transformational, leading to genuine worship and a deepened faith in God's omnipresent sovereignty.

Psalm 107 24 Commentary

Psalm 107:24 reveals a profound theological truth through the experience of those who face the mighty power of the sea. It underscores that the raw, uncontrollable forces of nature, specifically the "deep," are not chaotic but are subject to the sovereign command of the Lord. For mariners, encountering fierce storms and confronting the abyss is not merely a brush with natural danger; it becomes an encounter with the active power of YHWH. The verse calls attention to the visible evidence of God's creation and His extraordinary interventions—His "works" (His established order and providential care) and His "wonders" (His miraculous, awe-inspiring acts beyond human explanation). This observation should lead to worship and thankfulness, as seen throughout the Psalm. The setting "in the deep" is critical, for it represents human vulnerability and the limits of human might, making God's power all the more conspicuous and glorious when He calms the storm or guides them safely.