Psalm 107 (106):23Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

If "Alleluia" signifies the praise of God, it transcends the mere words of our lips—His praise should always be in our hearts. The repetition of "Hallelujah" underscores a universal call, akin to the cry of "Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15), uniting the faithful in their acknowledgment of God as the Father who embraces them.

Let us openly acknowledge the goodness of the Lord, for we dwell in His mercy (Psalm 105:1). In this admission, we affirm His sweetness; one must have tasted it to declare it so. Those who have not chosen to experience this sweetness cannot make such a confession. If you have truly encountered how delightful the Lord is (1 Peter 2:3), proclaim that truth. His mercy is eternal, recognized throughout scripture, where what is rendered in Greek as εἰς αἰῶνα reflects everlasting nature. His mercy is not fleeting, as its purpose is for humanity to dwell eternally with the angels.

Let those redeemed by the Lord declare His wonders, for they have been rescued from their foes (Psalm 105:2). While the Israelites were freed from Egyptian slavery and hardships, we must discern whether those proclaiming redemption truly embody that deliverance. They are recognized as those whom He has redeemed. Let it be made clear who these individuals are, as this psalm is intended for them. They are gathered from various lands, referencing even the diverse geography of Egypt. They cry out from every direction, illustrating the universal extent of redemption. The people of God, brought out of their vast Egypt, are led through the waters, symbolizing Baptism, where they are cleansed by Christ's sacrifice, thus overcoming sin.

Yet, their journey included wandering in desolate wastelands, devoid of direction or security (Psalms 105:4). They experienced hunger and thirst, leading their souls to fatigue (Psalm 106:5)—but not without reason, for God reveals Himself through goodness, prompting us to seek Him in times of trial. In their anguish, they cried out to the Lord, and He rescued them from their troubles (Psalm 105:6). He guided them along a direct path (Psalm 106:7), leading them to a city of refuge, assuaging their hunger and thirst. His mercies and wonders should continuously be acknowledged (Psalm 105:8), especially by those who have journeyed far and already have their sights set on the city, nourished and satisfied by His goodness (Psalm 105:9).

Those confined in shadows and distress, burdened by sorrow (Psalm 105:10), must recognize their own shortcomings. Have they truly experienced God's grace, or have they disregarded His counsel (Luke 7:30)? For the proud, who resist the righteousness of God (Romans 10:3), find themselves weary in their toil (Psalm 105:12). Address your desires; without God's support, you may struggle but cannot prevail. In times of wickedness, let your heart break in humility, prompting you to cry, "O wretched man I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" (Romans 7:24). In deliverance, you will recognize the mercy of the Lord, for when they called upon Him in distress, He answered them (Psalm 105:13). He brought them out of darkness and the shadows of death, breaking their chains (Psalm 105:14). Let them give thanks to the Lord for His mercies and wonders (Psalm 105:15), for He overcame gates of brass and iron through His salvation (Psalm 105:16).

They were humbled because they placed confidence in themselves rather than in God (Romans 10:3), only to discover their weakness without divine assistance. Their hunger led them to dislike what was once pleasing to them (Psalm 105:18), revealing the danger of excess can be just as grave as that of deprivation. When they cried to the Lord in their trouble, He sent His Word to heal them, demonstrating the dangers of excess satiety, which can lead one away from God. To abhor what is good is an affliction of the soul, thus they must proclaim the Lord’s mercies and wonders (Psalm 105:21) and offer sacrifices of praise (Psalm 105:22)—celebrating Him joyfully, free from weariness and despondency.

Those who navigate the seas in ships face tumultuous waves (Psalm 105:23), akin to the many nations. The chaotic waters symbolize nations in turmoil, as noted in Revelation when interpreting the waters as representing peoples. Those engaged in their work upon these waters have witnessed the works and wonders of the Lord amid great depths (Psalm 105:24). What can be more profound than the depths of the human heart? Here, storms of discord arise. God desires that those in authority and those led should call upon Him; thus, He silenced the raging winds (Psalm 106:25). When storms left sailors fearing for their lives (Psalm 105:26), their affliction grew intense and disoriented, like those intoxicated by chaos (Psalm 105:27). Wisdom fades as earthly counsel collapses in the throes of trouble; and faced with overwhelming trials, they cried to the Lord (Psalm 105:28). He commanded the storm, causing it to cease (Psalm 105:29), bringing them peace and guiding them to safety (Psalm 105:30). Let everyone openly proclaim His mercies and miracles (Psalm 105:31), affirming that it is not by our deeds or wisdom, but through God's grace alone.

Let them exalt Him in the assembly and praise Him before elders (Psalm 106:32). Let praises rise from nations and leaders alike, recognizing His mighty works. What has He accomplished within this assembly? He has countered the proud while bestowing grace upon the humble (James 4:6). The nation of Judah—who deemed themselves elevated due to their lineage from Abraham and entrusted with divine revelation—are warned of their haughty pride. God humbled their arrogance, rendering their blessings as rivers to dry wilderness (Psalm 105:33), leading to a spiritual drought where prophets and faith diminished among the people to whom they had entrusted His truth. Instead, He transformed barren lands into fertile grounds (Psalm 105:35) and provided for those in need (Psalm 105:36). He beckoned a priest according to the order of Melchizedek, whose worship is celebrated universally beyond the confines of Israel's heritage. The faithful flourished in the care of God, their endeavors yielding fruitful harvests (Psalm 106:37), blessed again and again.

As they grew fewer and faced troubles (Psalm 105:39), this decline stemmed not from external forces but from within. Their separation from the unity of the faithful led to their diminishment (1 John 2:19). While they appeared to share a common heritage, they lacked the virtue that binds the Body of Christ. The warnings of perilous times foretold by the Apostles caution against self-love that breeds discontent. In their pride, they experienced decline while those in humility found provision and support. The humble were cared for, while the proud were cast aside (Psalm 105:41), and although they suffered in desolation, the poor were rescued, gathering them as a flock. These great mysteries, rich in meaning yet often hidden, will ultimately be regarded with reverence, while the voice of the wicked will be silenced (Psalm 106:42).

Who is wise enough to ponder these truths and discern the mercy of the Lord? (Psalm 105:43). We do not rely on our merits, strength, or abilities but on His abundant mercy, which seeks and nourishes us back to the path of righteousness. When enmeshed in the struggles of sin and shackled by our past, He sets us free. In moments of despair, the Word restores us to life; amidst storms of adversity, He calms the sea and delivers us to safety, placing us in His grace rather than opposing us in judgment. The righteous find joy in this truth, while all wickedness shall face condemnation.

Listen to what Chrysostom conveys: the prophet calls for a sacrifice of praise rather than offering bullocks and sheep. Since those animal sacrifices lacked power, he establishes this spiritual service in their place, revealing that such worship originates from above. Athanasius notes that this message is directed at the holy apostles, as they shared with us the mysteries of the new covenant. Likewise, Chrysostom emphasizes the necessity of proclaiming God’s Providence with joy and gladness. Divine Isidore remarks that those who descend to the sea refer to the God-bearing apostles, who once engaged in worldly fishing pursuits. Just as human endeavors are akin to the tumult of waves—rising and falling—the divine prophecies aptly liken their instability to the sea, naming those who cast nets into it as those occupied in the waters of many.

Sent by the Savior to evangelize, they embarked on the sea of human existence, using their bodies as vessels or, more aptly, the churches they established, into which they drew those they caught, accomplishing numerous deeds for the salvation of souls caught in turmoil and drawn from the abyss of error by the diverse net of divine and sacred teachings. St. Basil observes that the ships beset by difficulties represent bodies weighed down by excess and indulgence, navigating the depths of destruction. In contrast, the lauded ships signify those bodies serving the missionaries who work amidst the waters of many. These individuals, who transcend worldly chaos, engage in good works, venturing into the sea of life to rescue the drowning. Consequently, they perceive the Lord's works and receive the understanding of His wonders in the deep as a reward for their labors.

Nyssa speaks again of the folly of humankind, who, having abandoned a constant and peaceful existence, choose to set sail, neglecting the paradise they once inhabited, only to find their toil submerged. Here, the sea represents a life burdened by vast material concerns, tossed about by all manner of temptation. Yet, as David observes, they too have witnessed the works of the Lord; after being engulfed in worldly trials and enduring multiple shipwrecks of the soul, they behold the savior’s humanity, which lifts them from the depths of despair.

He called to them, saying, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Further along, He saw two more brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, in a boat with their father, mending their nets, and He invited them in a similar manner (Matt. 4:18-19, 21). These verses from the psalm directly pertain to the apostles. In response to the query, “Who are these?” the prophet declared, “going in ships to the sea,” and so forth. This prophecy was fulfilled in its entirety. Indeed, while the disciples of our Lord were navigating with Him, “there was a great commotion on the sea,” as the Evangelist recounts, “so that the boat was covered with waves.” They approached Him, pleading, “Lord, save us; we are perishing.” He rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a profound calm (Matthew 8:24-26). This illustrates what it means to witness “the works of the Lord and His wonders in the deep.”

The Prophet further emphasizes God’s Providence, asserting that the turbulence of the sea is not random. The choice of the verb ‘Speak’ signifies that the winds stirring the waters do not act autonomously; they obey God's commands. While it is true that sailors often predict adverse weather from natural signs, abrupt changes arise strictly from God’s concealed orders. Thus, the Prophet does not merely recount the events of storms and winds; he presents himself as a teacher, starting with the fundamental cause of these phenomena. He vividly illustrates the peril faced, picturing death to stress the depth of God’s mercy seen in the resulting joy.

He describes their ascents to the heavens and descents into the depths, indicating that sailors are lifted with the waves and then plunged down with them, their souls trembling in the face of mortality. He further includes the anxiety that unsettles their minds and weighs down their spirits. The phrase "all their wisdom was swallowed up" suggests that although the shipmasters possess knowledge of navigation, the panic of impending death clouds their judgment and paralyzes their ability to utilize even their available resources. They may hoist sails, cast anchors into the depths, and maneuver oars frantically, yet they find no success, cast adrift by the winds. As they exhaust all their skills and recognize the absence of aid from the world, they descend into despair, crying out in desperation akin to intoxicated men.