Psalm 107 30

Psalm 107:30 kjv

Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

Psalm 107:30 nkjv

Then they are glad because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven.

Psalm 107:30 niv

They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.

Psalm 107:30 esv

Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.

Psalm 107:30 nlt

What a blessing was that stillness
as he brought them safely into harbor!

Psalm 107 verses

Psalm 107 30 Meaning

Psalm 107:30 concludes the account of sailors delivered from a raging storm by divine intervention. It describes their joy as the tumultuous waters become calm, and how God then supernaturally guides them directly and safely into their long-desired harbor, a place of rest and security. This verse highlights God's absolute sovereignty over nature, His responsiveness to human cries for help, and His faithful providence in bringing His people through distress to a place of peace and rest.

Psalm 107 30 Context

Psalm 107 is a profound hymn of thanksgiving, structured around four distinct groups of people whom the Lord delivers from dire circumstances: wanderers in the wilderness (vv. 4-9), prisoners in darkness (vv. 10-16), fools afflicted by their own sin (vv. 17-22), and sailors tossed by a severe storm (vv. 23-32). Each segment follows a pattern: distress, crying out to the Lord, divine deliverance, and a call to give thanks. Verse 30 directly concludes the narrative of the mariners, illustrating the dramatic shift from chaotic danger to safe arrival, serving as the final example of God's active, compassionate intervention. Historically and culturally, navigating the sea was perilous, making storms a primal fear. The verse contrasts the arbitrary nature of the sea with the predictable faithfulness and sovereign power of Yahweh, providing a strong counter-narrative to ancient Near Eastern beliefs where gods of the sea were unpredictable or subservient to greater deities. Yahweh is depicted as the sole, supreme commander over creation.

Psalm 107 30 Word analysis

• Then (וַיִּשְׂמָחוּ, vayyiśmāḥu)
  • Implies immediate cause and effect, "and so," indicating the gladness follows directly from the calm.
• are they glad (יִשְׂמָחוּ, yismaḥu)
  • From the Hebrew root śāmaḥ, meaning to rejoice, be joyful, delight. It signifies a profound inner delight, a celebration, rather than mere relief.
  • Significance: Their joy is a natural, unadulterated response to the cessation of terror and the return of peace, emphasizing the depth of their deliverance. It's a testimony to God's restorative work.
• because (כִּי, kî)
  • Serves as a conjunction meaning "for," "because," or "that." Here, it gives the reason for their gladness.
• they be quiet (יִשְׁתֹּקוּ, yishtokhu)
  • From the Hebrew root shaqaq, meaning to settle down, to be still, quiet, calm. This refers to the settling of the tumultuous waters.
  • Significance: Highlights the complete cessation of the storm, emphasizing God's perfect command over the chaos. The verb form indicates an act of divine power that renders the waters perfectly calm.
• so he brings them (וַיַּנְחֵם, vayyanḥem)
  • From the Hebrew root nāḥah, meaning to lead, guide, direct, bring. The "he" explicitly refers to the Lord, highlighting His active, personal intervention.
  • Significance: Not merely an accidental arrival, but a deliberate, guiding act by God. It signifies His protective hand steering them.
• unto their desired haven (אֶל־מְחוֹז חֶפְצָם, ʾel-məḥôz ḥepṣām)
  • desired (חֶפְצָם, ḥepṣām): From the Hebrew root ḥāpēṣ, meaning delight, desire, pleasure, will, purpose. It indicates something longed for, purposed, or that which causes delight. Their longed-for destination.
  • haven (מְחוֹז, məḥôz): From a root related to refuge or stronghold. It refers to a specific place of shelter, a port, or a safe harbor. This word appears only here in the Hebrew Bible.
  • Significance: The phrase speaks of reaching the exact, perfect destination envisioned. It implies not just safety, but satisfaction and fulfillment after hardship. It suggests divine providence ensures one reaches their appointed and desirable end.

Psalm 107 30 Bonus section

The progression within Psalm 107 is not merely descriptive but prescriptive, demonstrating a divine pedagogy: humanity experiences trouble, cries out to God, God delivers, and humanity responds with thanks and acknowledgment of His mighty works. Verse 30 is the climax of this particular deliverance narrative, underscoring the absolute control Yahweh holds over even the most chaotic elements. This control served as a powerful polemic against surrounding pagan cultures whose deities either personified elements they couldn't control or were engaged in perpetual struggle, lacking ultimate sovereignty. Yahweh simply "brings them" – highlighting effortless authority and tender care combined. The unique Hebrew word for "haven" (məḥôz) underscores a place of deep desire and security, signifying that God’s deliverance is complete and perfectly suited to the need.

Psalm 107 30 Commentary

Psalm 107:30 masterfully illustrates God's complete and compassionate deliverance. After recounting the terrifying ordeal of sailors on a storm-ravaged sea, the verse portrays the instantaneous relief and joy that floods their hearts when God commands the storm to cease. The use of "quiet" (referring to the waters) conveys an immediate and absolute calming, a testament to God's unrivaled power over creation. Their gladness is not just from the absence of danger but from the direct, unmistakable intervention of the Almighty. The verse further emphasizes God's tender providence by stating He not only quieted the storm but personally "brings them unto their desired haven." This is not a chance outcome; it's a divine leading, ensuring their safe arrival at the very destination they yearned for, a place of peace, rest, and fulfillment. It symbolizes God’s faithfulness in leading His people through the tempests of life to their ultimate rest and security in Him, whether physical safety, spiritual peace, or even eternal glory. The verse calls all who read it to acknowledge God’s control, His availability, and His love that provides a way out and a sure destination for His own.

• Example for Practical Usage: In moments of personal turmoil or uncertainty (metaphorical storms), remembering this verse encourages believers to cry out to the Lord, trust in His power to calm their circumstances, and rest assured that He will guide them to a place of peace and safety—His "desired haven" for their souls.