Psalms 107:27
Psalms 107:27 in Multiple Translations
They reeled and staggered like drunkards, and all their skill was useless.
They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.
They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits’ end.
They are turned here and there, rolling like a man who is full of wine; and all their wisdom comes to nothing.
They staggered around, falling from side to side like drunks—all their seamanship skills were useless.
They are tossed to and from, and stagger like a drunken man, and all their cunning is gone.
They reel to and fro, and move as a drunkard, And all their wisdom is swallowed up.
They reel back and forth, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.
They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end.
They stumbled about and staggered like drunken men, and they did not know what to do.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 107:27
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 107:27 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יָח֣וֹגּוּ
וְ֭/יָנוּעוּ
כַּ/שִּׁכּ֑וֹר
וְ/כָל
חָ֝כְמָתָ֗/ם
תִּתְבַּלָּֽע
יָח֣וֹגּוּ
châgag
H2287
to celebrate
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
וְ֭/יָנוּעוּ
nûwaʻ
H5128
to shake
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
כַּ/שִּׁכּ֑וֹר
shikkôwr
H7910
drunken
Prep | Adj
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Conj | N-ms
חָ֝כְמָתָ֗/ם
chokmâh
H2451
wisdom
N-fs | Suff
תִּתְבַּלָּֽע
bâlaʻ
H1104
to swallow up
V-Hithpael-Imperf-3fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 107:27
יָח֣וֹגּוּ
châgag
H2287
"to celebrate"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to celebrate or observe a festival, often with dancing or procession. It can also mean to be dizzy or staggering, like being drunk or disoriented. In the Bible, it is used to describe pilgrim feasts and celebrations.
Definition: 1) to hold a feast, hold a festival, make pilgrimage, keep a pilgrim-feast, celebrate, dance, stagger 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep a pilgrim-feast 1a2) to reel
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: celebrate, dance, (keep, hold) a (solemn) feast (holiday), reel to and fro. See also: Exodus 5:1; 1 Samuel 30:16; Psalms 42:5.
וְ֭/יָנוּעוּ
nûwaʻ
H5128
"to shake"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
To shake means to move back and forth, like trembling with fear, as described in the book of Isaiah. It can also mean to be unstable or to wander, like the Israelites in the wilderness.
Definition: 1) to quiver, totter, shake, reel, stagger, wander, move, sift, make move, wave, waver, tremble 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to wave, quiver, vibrate, swing, stagger, tremble, be unstable 1a2) to totter, go tottering 1a2a) vagabond (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be tossed about or around 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to toss about 1c2) to shake, cause to totter 1c3) to shake, disturb 1c4) to cause to wander
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: continually, fugitive, [idiom] make, to (go) up and down, be gone away, (be) move(-able, -d), be promoted, reel, remove, scatter, set, shake, sift, stagger, to and fro, be vagabond, wag, (make) wander (up and down). See also: Genesis 4:12; Psalms 109:25; Psalms 22:8.
כַּ/שִּׁכּ֑וֹר
shikkôwr
H7910
"drunken"
Prep | Adj
This Hebrew word describes being drunk, either as a one-time event or a habitual behavior. It's used in the Bible to talk about people who are intoxicated. The KJV translates it as 'drunk' or 'drunkard'.
Definition: 1) drunken 1a) drunken 1b) drunkard, drunken one (subst)
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: drunk(-ard, -en, -en man). See also: 1 Samuel 1:13; Proverbs 26:9; Psalms 107:27.
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
חָ֝כְמָתָ֗/ם
chokmâh
H2451
"wisdom"
N-fs | Suff
Wisdom refers to skill, prudence, or good judgment in areas like war, administration, or religion, as seen in the book of Proverbs.
Definition: 1) wisdom 1a) skill (in war) 1b) wisdom (in administration) 1c) shrewdness, wisdom 1d) wisdom, prudence (in religious affairs) 1e) wisdom (ethical and religious)
Usage: Occurs in 141 OT verses. KJV: skilful, wisdom, wisely, wit. See also: Exodus 28:3; Proverbs 5:1; Psalms 37:30.
תִּתְבַּלָּֽע
bâlaʻ
H1104
"to swallow up"
V-Hithpael-Imperf-3fs
This word means to swallow or destroy something completely. It can be used to describe something being eaten up or destroyed, like in a natural disaster or a strong storm. The Bible uses it to convey total destruction.
Definition: 1) to swallow down, swallow up, engulf, eat up 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to swallow down 1a2) to swallow up, engulf 1b) (Niphal) to be swallowed up 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to swallow 1c2) to swallow up, engulf 1c3) squandering (fig.) 1d) (Pual) to be swallowed up 1e) (Hithpael) to be ended
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: cover, destroy, devour, eat up, be at end, spend up, swallow down (up). See also: Genesis 41:7; Psalms 106:17; Psalms 21:10.
Study Notes — Psalms 107:27
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 107:27 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 107:27
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 107:27
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 107:27
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 107:27
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 107:27
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 107:27
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 107:27
- Sermons on Psalms 107:27
Context — Thanksgiving for Deliverance
25For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea.
26They mounted up to the heavens, then sunk to the depths; their courage melted in their anguish.
27They reeled and staggered like drunkards, and all their skill was useless.
28Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. 29He calmed the storm to a whisper, and the waves of the sea were hushed.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 12:25 | They grope in the darkness without light; He makes them stagger like drunkards. |
| 2 | Isaiah 29:9 | Stop and be astonished; blind yourselves and be sightless; be drunk, but not with wine; stagger, but not from strong drink. |
| 3 | Isaiah 19:3 | Then the spirit of the Egyptians will be emptied out from among them, and I will frustrate their plans, so that they will resort to idols and spirits of the dead, to mediums and spiritists. |
| 4 | Isaiah 19:14 | The LORD has poured into her a spirit of confusion. Egypt has been led astray in all she does, as a drunkard staggers through his own vomit. |
| 5 | Acts 27:15–20 | Unable to head into the wind, the ship was caught up. So we gave way and let ourselves be driven along. Passing to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we barely managed to secure the lifeboat. After hoisting it up, the crew used ropes to undergird the ship. And fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and were driven along. We were tossed so violently that the next day the men began to jettison the cargo. On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the great storm continued to batter us, we abandoned all hope of being saved. |
| 6 | Isaiah 24:20 | The earth staggers like a drunkard and sways like a shack. Earth’s rebellion weighs it down, and it falls, never to rise again. |
| 7 | Job 37:20 | Should He be told that I want to speak? Would a man ask to be swallowed up ? |
Psalms 107:27 Summary
This verse, Psalms 107:27, describes a situation where the sailors were completely at the mercy of the storm, and their skills and abilities were not enough to save them. It's a powerful reminder that there are times when we need to acknowledge our own limitations and turn to God for help, just like the sailors did in Psalms 107:28. As it says in Proverbs 3:5-6, we need to trust in God with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding, and as seen in Isaiah 40:31, those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength and soar on wings like eagles. By trusting in God's power and sovereignty, we can find peace and stability even in the midst of life's storms, as described in Matthew 14:22-33.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to reel and stagger like drunkards in Psalms 107:27?
This phrase is a metaphor that describes the loss of control and stability, much like the feeling of being drunk, as seen in the physical and emotional turmoil of the sailors in Psalms 107:25-26, and it emphasizes the idea that their skills and abilities were insufficient to save them, similar to the helplessness described in Isaiah 41:17.
Why were the sailors' skills useless in this situation?
The sailors' skills were useless because they were facing a storm that was beyond their control, and no amount of human skill or expertise could calm the tempest, as seen in Psalms 107:25, highlighting the limitations of human power and the need for divine intervention, as described in Psalms 46:1-3.
Is this verse relevant to our lives today?
Yes, this verse is still relevant today, as it reminds us that there are times when our skills and abilities are not enough to get us through difficult situations, and we must turn to God for help, just like the sailors in Psalms 107:28, and trust in His power and sovereignty, as seen in Romans 8:28.
How does this verse relate to the concept of humility?
This verse highlights the importance of humility, as it shows that even the most skilled and experienced individuals can be brought to a point of helplessness, and it is in those moments that we must recognize our limitations and turn to God in humility, as seen in 1 Peter 5:6-7, and trust in His goodness and mercy, as described in Psalms 23:4.
Reflection Questions
- What are the areas in my life where I feel like I am reeling and staggering, and how can I turn to God for help and guidance?
- How do I respond when my skills and abilities are not enough to get me through a difficult situation, and what can I learn from the example of the sailors in Psalms 107:27-28?
- In what ways can I apply the lesson of humility from this verse to my own life, and how can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's power and sovereignty?
- What are some ways that I can glorify God in the midst of my own struggles and challenges, and how can I use those experiences to point others to Him, as seen in Psalms 107:29?
- How can I balance my reliance on my own skills and abilities with a deeper trust in God's power and provision, and what does this verse teach me about the importance of faith and dependence on Him?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 107:27
They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man,.... Through the agitation of the water, and motion of the ship, not being able to stand upon deck.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 107:27
They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end. No JFB commentary on this vurse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 107:27
Stagger like a drunken man; not so much from the giddiness of their heads, which is not usual in persons accustomed to the sea, as through the violent and various motions of the sea and the ship.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 107:27
Psalms 107:27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.Ver. 27. They reel to and fro, &c.] Natant nautae, et vacillant cerebro et pedibus. And are at their wit’ s end] All their skill and strength faileth them at once; they can do no more for their lives. Heb. All their wisdom is swallowed up; that is, the art of navigation is now to no use with them.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 107:27
(27) Reel to and fro.—Or more exactly, spin round and round.Are at their wit’s end.—An admirable paraphrase of the Hebrew, “all their wisdom swalloweth itself up.” The poet, from the expressions employed, is possibly writing under the influence of Psa 22:14; but he has evidently himself been to sea and experienced the dangers and discomforts he so graphically describes. Ovid (Trist. i. 2) has been quoted in illustration: “Me miserum, quanti montes volvuntur aquarum Jamjam tacturos sidera summa putes. Quantæ diducto subsidunt æquore valles: Jamjam tacturas Tartura nigra putes Rector in incerto est, nec quid fugiatve petatve Invenit: ambiguis ars stupet ipsa malis.”See on this passage Addison in Spectator, No. 489.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 107:27
27. and are at their wit’s end] Lit. all their wisdom is swallowed up, or perhaps as in Psalms 55:9, is confounded. Their skill in navigation entirely fails them. Cp. Isaiah 19:3. A striking parallel to the whole passage is to be found in Ovid, Tristia, l. 2. 19 ff. Me miserum, quanti montes volvuntur aquarum! Iam iam tacturos sidera summa putes. Quantae diducto subsidunt aequore valles! Iam iam tacturas Tartara nigra putes. Rector in incerto est, nec quid fugiatve petatve Invenit.
Ambiguis ars stupet ipsa malis.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 107:27
They reel to and fro - The word used here - חגג châgag - means to dance as in a circle; then, to reel, or be giddy as drunkards are.
Sermons on Psalms 107:27
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
At Wit's End by Charles E. Cowman | Charles E. Cowman preaches about finding hope and strength in God when we are at our wit's end, facing overwhelming challenges and feeling alone in our struggles. He emphasizes tha |
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Mans Devices and the Lord's Counsel by J.C. Philpot | J.C. Philpot preaches about the divine sovereignty evident throughout the Scriptures, emphasizing that God's counsel will always prevail over the devices of man's heart. He illustr |
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The Conviction We Need! by Robert Wurtz II | Robert Wurtz II preaches on 'The Necessity of Holy Ghost Conviction,' emphasizing the crucial role of genuine conviction of sin by the Spirit of God for true conversion. He highlig |
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An Outpouring of the Holy Ghost (Part 1) by Robert Wurtz II | Robert Wurtz II preaches about the outpouring of the Holy Ghost and the Spirit that works in the children of disobedience. He emphasizes the deception of those who believe they are |
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Epistle 271 by George Fox | George Fox emphasizes the danger of straying from the light, spirit, and power of God, leading to confusion and a lack of true form in life. He warns that those who follow their ow |
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Jude #3 - the Angels That Sinned by Chuck Missler | In this sermon, the speaker discusses a controversial passage in the Bible, specifically verse 6 of Jude. The speaker presents three views on the interpretation of this verse. The |