Psalm 107 25

Psalm 107:25 kjv

For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

Psalm 107:25 nkjv

For He commands and raises the stormy wind, Which lifts up the waves of the sea.

Psalm 107:25 niv

For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves.

Psalm 107:25 esv

For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.

Psalm 107:25 nlt

He spoke, and the winds rose,
stirring up the waves.

Psalm 107 verses

Psalm 107 25 Meaning

Psalm 107:25 declares God's absolute sovereignty over creation, specifically over the chaotic forces of the sea and the winds. It conveys that He, by His divine command and active power, instigates and directs even the most tumultuous elements of nature—the stormy wind and the resultant high waves—demonstrating His providential control and supreme authority over all things.

Psalm 107 25 Context

Psalm 107 is a thanksgiving psalm, structured around four distinct groups of people whom the LORD delivers from dire circumstances: wanderers in the wilderness, prisoners in darkness, those afflicted by illness, and sailors in a storm. Verse 25 falls within the fourth section (verses 23-32), which vividly describes the perils faced by those who "go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters." The sailors witness God's "works" and "wonders" in the deep (v. 24), specifically referring to His power to instigate and control mighty storms. In the ancient world, the sea was often perceived as a realm of chaos and danger, and powerful storms were seen as expressions of divine wrath or the chaotic might of various pagan deities. Therefore, the declaration in verse 25 of God's unilateral command over such forces serves as a strong polemic against contemporary beliefs, firmly establishing the God of Israel as the sole, supreme Ruler of all creation, transcending all other perceived powers. This section culminates in the sailors crying out to the LORD and His subsequent deliverance, showcasing His steadfast love (Hesed).

Psalm 107 25 Word analysis

• For He commands (כִּֽי־ה֤וּא יְצַו֙ - ki hu y'tsaw):
  • He: Refers directly to God, the active agent.
  • commands (יְצַו֙ - y'tsaw, from צָוָה, tsavah): Implies a powerful, authoritative decree, not merely a suggestion. This is a word of divine ordination and control, akin to His commands during creation (e.g., "Let there be light"). It underscores intentionality and omnipotence.
• and raises (וַיַּעֲמֵ֣ד - vaya'ameḏ, from עָמַד, amad):
  • Connotes to "cause to stand," "to set up," or "to establish." God is not merely commanding a pre-existing storm; He is bringing it into being, or causing it to intensify and manifest. This verb emphasizes His active role in the storm's origin and development.
• the stormy wind (ר֣וּחַ סְעָרָ֑ה - ruakh s'aʿarah):
  • wind (ר֣וּחַ - ruakh): A significant Hebrew word meaning "breath," "wind," or "spirit." Here, it primarily refers to physical wind, but its broader semantic range subtly links divine agency (God's breath/Spirit) with natural phenomena, suggesting the wind's ultimate origin in God.
  • stormy (סְעָרָ֑ה - s'aʿarah): Denotes a violent tempest, a whirlwind, a powerful gale. This specifies the type of wind as exceptionally strong and potentially destructive, highlighting the intensity of the natural force God commands.
• which lifts up (וַתְּרוֹמֵ֣ם - wattərōmēm, from רוּם, rum):
  • This verb means "to raise high," "to exalt," "to cause to rise." It conveys the powerful consequence of the stormy wind on the sea.
• the waves of the sea (גַּלָּיו֙ - gallāv):
  • waves (גַּלָּיו֙ - gallāv, from גַּל, gal): Refers to billows, rollers, or the great, often turbulent, movements of water.
  • This phrase emphasizes the tangible outcome of God's command: the ocean itself responds to His will, demonstrating His comprehensive dominion.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "For He commands and raises the stormy wind": This entire phrase unequivocally attributes the origin and power of the tempest to God's direct, volitional action. It dismisses any notion of natural forces acting autonomously or randomly. It reinforces the theological concept of divine primary causation.
  • "which lifts up the waves of the sea": This illustrates the immediate, observable consequence of God's command. The "stormy wind" is the agent through which God acts upon the "waves," manifesting His power in the tangible reality of the raging sea. It showcases the complete subservience of the elements to His will.

Psalm 107 25 Bonus section

The active verbs "commands" (tsavah) and "raises" (amad) are key. They are not passive; God isn't merely permitting the wind, but initiating it. This echoes creation accounts where God speaks, and it is done, applying that creative, ordering power to sustain and direct nature, even its tempestuous aspects. The "stormy wind" (ruakh s'a'arah) is not just any wind; it's a specific, powerful force often depicted in scripture as God's chariot (Ps 18:10) or His agent of judgment/power. This connection subtly hints at God's use of even destructive forces for His purposes, whether it be for judgment, testing, or, in this Psalm's context, to draw people to cry out to Him for salvation, showcasing His steadfast love.

Psalm 107 25 Commentary

Psalm 107:25 is a profound statement of theological truth embedded within a narrative of divine rescue. It serves to illustrate God's unassailable supremacy over the natural world, a power He actively exercises and is not merely abstract. The verse underscores that chaotic and terrifying forces, like a raging tempest at sea, are not random occurrences nor beyond His influence, but are instruments fully obedient to His precise and authoritative word. He not only permits them but specifically "commands and raises" them, directing their intensity and effect, even to the point of causing massive waves. This reality highlights the Creator's continual active involvement in His creation and offers assurance that the very same power that can stir up the storm is also capable of calming it (as demonstrated by Jesus Christ in the New Testament), providing comfort that no human circumstance is outside His sovereign control or beyond His capacity for deliverance. This provides a foundation for trust, even in the midst of life's most tumultuous "storms."