Gathering together the waters of the sea, as in a vessel; laying up the depths in storehouses.
כֹּנֵ֣ס כַּ֭נֵּד מֵ֣י הַיָּ֑ם נֹתֵ֖ן בְּאֹצָר֣וֹת תְּהוֹמֽוֹת׃
9 Church Fathers comment on this verse
He collects the seas like a precious garment, assembling the peoples of the earth to acknowledge their subdued transgressions, preventing them from overflowing in their arrogance. He confines the depths in reservoirs (Psalms 32:7), safeguarding His hidden treasures within them.
He did not express it as “Gathering the waters of the sea” in a manner akin to fur, but rather as “like fur” in the context of “gathering the waters of the sea.” Consider the nature of fur, which can expand when filled by air and contract when pressed down, just as the sea can surge and rage when winds stir it up and can settle and be still in calm conditions. Thus, the Lord, "like fur," bends and humbles the waters of the sea. Some versions state, “Gathering the waters of the sea as in a fur,” which harkens back to the ancient narrative of the Red Sea. It was not separated by any external force but appeared to be encased like fur, since God's command kept it from overflowing.
“Laying up in the treasures of the abysses.” It might be more fitting to say, “laying up treasure in the depths of the abysses," suggesting that His riches are preserved secretly. However, it is stated as though the abysses themselves serve as precious vessels for God's treasures. Are not the laws of God's judgment likened to abysses, incomprehensible and unfathomable to human understanding, since only God possesses the wisdom by which He governs all things? The notion that God's judgment over each matter is referred to as the abyss is evident in another psalm, which declares, “Thy judgments are many abysses” (Psalm 35:7). Therefore, when pondering why the sinner's life persists, why the days of the righteous are shortened, why the wicked thrive while the virtuous suffer, why a child succumbs to death before reaching maturity, or why calamities such as wars, shipwrecks, earthquakes, and floods occur—consider differences in freedom and riches, and even how some find themselves ensnared in sin while others are raised in virtue—when such questions arise, remember that the decrees of God constitute an abyss, and their understanding lies within divine treasures, beyond the grasp of all. Yet, to the faithful, God offers a promise: “I will give you hidden, invisible treasures” (Isaiah 45:3). Therefore, when we attain direct knowledge, we will also perceive the ‘abysses’ within God’s ‘treasures.’
Moreover, when we gather what the Scriptures say about furs, we can better grasp the intention of the Prophet. Furs, renewed every day and filled with new wine from the vineyard of truth, are termed new furs in the Gospel, while those that have not shed the old self are referred to as old furs, which are inadequate for receiving new wine. “No one pours new wine into old furs,” as it would cause the wine to spill and the furs to be ruined completely (Mark 2:22). The old furs would be unworthy of mercy once the good and new wine is lost, necessitating that new wine be placed into new wineskins. The new and spiritual wine, filled with the Holy Spirit and embodying the eternal truth, should be poured into the new man, who, possessing “always the deadness” of Jesus “in his body” (2 Corinthians 4:10), rightly earns the designation of a new fur.
He collects the waters of the sea like a garment. He summons the ocean waters and, similar to a cloak, holds them in the clouds, as stated elsewhere: ‘He who calls the water of the sea, and pours it over the face of the whole earth’ (Am. 5:8). He stores up the treasures of the depths, sealing the abysses within His vaults to prevent them from overflowing and inundating the dry land.
God maintains all the elements of water, as if storing them in vaults, contained separately; and when it pleases Him, He draws this water into the atmosphere, enveloping it much like a garment in clouds. This is why the Prophet declares, ‘Raising up clouds from the last of the earth’ (Ps. 134:7). Furthermore, Divine Scripture states: He who calls upon the waters of the sea and pours them out upon the surface of the earth (Am. 5:8).
Gathering the waters of the sea as if into a cloak. The imagery suggests that the One who gathers them does so like fur, which captures the waters within the depths of the earth. Perhaps it signifies that the waters are akin to fur, rising and swelling with the winds, yet also contracting and falling back like fur when the winds die down. Alternatively, by using the term “fur,” it may refer to the liquid contained within, illustrating how God compiles the sea’s waters into the earth’s hollows, similar to how liquid is stored in fabric. Just as the liquid remains contained within the fur and does not spill over, God, through His command, ensures that the waters of the sea remain in their designated boundaries, preventing them from overflowing onto the land.
Some, including Didymus, interpret that David’s reference pertains to the vapors rising from the sea, gradually ascending and thickening in the atmosphere until they transform into clouds, which ultimately release rain.
“Lay up in the treasures of the abysses.” The abyss represents the depth of the sea, which cannot be enclosed or confined, and the treasures of the abysses signify the earth's depths where springs and rivers originate. Alternatively, this treasury may refer to the domain above the firmament where God initially positioned a portion of the waters during creation. The abysses—along with the firmament—are termed treasures for their vast reservoirs of water, characterized by their hiddenness, as they are sometimes revealed and at other times concealed according to necessity, reflecting the nature of a treasury.
These words can also be directed towards the Apostles, seen as treasurers and guardians of the profound mysteries of the faith. The esteemed Basil, expounding on this in its fullest sense, notes that the judgments of God are indeed called abysses, as they are beyond human comprehension; only in God’s knowledge reside the mysteries of all His judgments. The statement “Thy judgments are a great abyss” illustrates how the complexities of each divine judgment can be seen as an overwhelming depth.
Thus, when one wonders why sinners seem to thrive while the righteous suffer, or why calamities like theft, scourges, shipwrecks, earthquakes, droughts, and floods occur, it is essential to grasp that the judgments of God are vast abysses, holding in their depths that which eludes human understanding. Isychius refers to the abysses as the myriad waters secreted by the Creator in hidden places beneath the earth.
The prophet does not attempt to exhaustively detail everything about each specific aspect of the world; instead, he succinctly references one principle that encompasses all others. In this context, he highlights a remarkable and significant miracle observable on the earth's surface, namely how God has consolidated the fluid and transient elements of water into one place, akin to a reservoir. Observers of nature, alongside empirical evidence, clearly demonstrate that water resides above the earth. Therefore, how is it possible that this inherently liquid and buoyant substance does not submerge the earth, and how does the ground, situated lower than water, remain dry?
It is evident that God, in His providence for humanity, has secured all waters within hidden strongholds and maintains them within His ordained boundaries, as if they were encased in layers and stored away, which the prophet articulates so effectively.
The Holy Spirit rightly illustrates the might of God in various passages, as seen in Jeremiah 5:22: "I will lay the sand before the sea for an everlasting commandment; and it shall not exceed it: the waves of it shall make a noise, and it shall not pass away." Additionally, Job 38:8, 10 states: "I will shut up the gates of the sea, when it is poured out, out of the womb of its mother proceeding: and I will put bounds to it, having put shutters and gates about it." In the latter part of the verse, the same concept is reiterated with further elaboration, demonstrating that God not only restrains the vast accumulation of waters within the sea but also deep within the earth through His mysterious and incomprehensible might.
Indeed, when one examines the relationship between these elements, they may marvel at the extraordinary nature of this phenomenon—how numerous depths of water concealed within the earth's very core do not inundate the surface. Although entire towns and settlements may suffer devastation from earthquakes, the foundational substance of the earth remains unscathed.
In its original Hebrew form, this psalm lacks a heading, leading to the conclusion that it is related to Psalm 31. It serves as an Old Testament reflection on the words of the Lord: do not fear, little flock (Lk.12:32). The context for its composition may have stemmed from a miraculous triumph achieved by a small number of God’s people over powerful pagan nations. Acknowledging the extraordinary assistance from God, the psalmist encourages the faithful of Israel (the just and upright) to proclaim praise with exultation (joyful, triumphant shouts; 1Ezdr.3:11) and to sing a fresh and unique song (vv.1-3).
In the victorious acts bestowed upon them, the Lord has magnificently revealed His love for truth (v.4, in faithfulness to His promises), His mercy towards Israel, and His righteousness in judgment against the nations (v.5). He is the Almighty God, as evidenced by the creation of the world (vv.6-7,9). The authority of the stars and celestial bodies reflects His might; He controls the waves like a man manages fur; treasures serve as His storehouses; the depths of the sea act as reservoirs for the abyss. All the earth must revere Him (v.8), and the Gentiles, whose malicious designs against Israel the Almighty will thwart, must also stand in awe (v.10). He will bring to nothing the schemes of rulers—not of the Jewish people—while His gracious commitments to Israel remain eternally steadfast (v.11). Can we not declare blessed those whom the Almighty has chosen as His cherished heritage and shields with His powerful hand (v.12)? The Protector of Israel is not only all-powerful but all-knowing (vv.13-14). From a prepared and well-ordered place—addressing each individually—He, who fashioned human hearts, understands all the thoughts and actions of humanity (v.15). Thus, He can render them powerless against His people, ensuring that no force can prevail over Israel (vv.16-17). The all-seeing eyes of the Lord rest upon him (v.18), diverting every threat away from him (v.19). Consequently, Israel places its trust in the Lord with assurance, confident in His constant aid, and finds joy in it; may His mercy fully reflect Israel's hope!
The mighty hand of God separated the waters of the sea, resembling a barrier, standing firm against the transgressions of the people of Israel. The profound mystery of the Baptismal waters of the Holy One is securely held within the depths of the abyss. The ways of God are beyond human understanding, through which the salvation of humanity is accomplished in the wondrous Incarnation of Christ our Savior. The seas and all creation unite in faith under Christ the Lord (Athanasius, Chrysostom, Gregory). Initially, water constituted one-seventh of the Earth's surface (3 Ezdr. 6:42), and following the deluge, it increased to cover two-thirds of the planet. Researchers have observed, and experience confirms, that water also exists above the Earth.
Have faith in the riches hidden within the depths. As stated by Vas. Vel. and Athan, the abysses are secured as if they were in storerooms, to prevent their outpouring from overwhelming the earth.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS