He is the One who can still both storms on the ocean’s surface and storms in our hearts.
When David writes, “Who stills the roaring of the seas, The roaring of their waves, And the tumult of the peoples” (v.7), he highlights the Lord’s power to bring peace to the most chaotic elements of creation. The psalmist David—who reigned as Israel’s second king around 1010 BC to 970 BC—often extolled God’s sovereignty over nature, describing the seas (commonly viewed in the ancient world as symbols of chaos and danger) as being firmly under His authority. This verse comes within a celebration of the Lord as the provider who blesses the earth and satisfies it with abundance, reminding worshipers that God’s dominion extends over every part of His creation, from the raging waves of the ocean to the hearts of humanity.
The phrase “the tumult of the peoples” underscores that God can calm not only literal storms but also the unrest and disorder among nations. In other portions of scripture, “tumult” refers to social upheaval or sudden, destructive chaos (Hosea 10:14). Here, David proclaims that the same God who rules the seas also reigns over humankind’s conflicts and can restore order among those who seek Him. This echoes the truth later demonstrated by Jesus, who calmed the storm with a word (Mark 4:39), showing Himself as the embodiment of God’s power to bring peace in every circumstance.
God’s power to subdue every chaos displays His sovereign love and protection for all who call on Him.
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Psalms 65:7 meaning
When David writes, “Who stills the roaring of the seas, The roaring of their waves, And the tumult of the peoples” (v.7), he highlights the Lord’s power to bring peace to the most chaotic elements of creation. The psalmist David—who reigned as Israel’s second king around 1010 BC to 970 BC—often extolled God’s sovereignty over nature, describing the seas (commonly viewed in the ancient world as symbols of chaos and danger) as being firmly under His authority. This verse comes within a celebration of the Lord as the provider who blesses the earth and satisfies it with abundance, reminding worshipers that God’s dominion extends over every part of His creation, from the raging waves of the ocean to the hearts of humanity.
The phrase “the tumult of the peoples” underscores that God can calm not only literal storms but also the unrest and disorder among nations. In other portions of scripture, “tumult” refers to social upheaval or sudden, destructive chaos (Hosea 10:14). Here, David proclaims that the same God who rules the seas also reigns over humankind’s conflicts and can restore order among those who seek Him. This echoes the truth later demonstrated by Jesus, who calmed the storm with a word (Mark 4:39), showing Himself as the embodiment of God’s power to bring peace in every circumstance.
God’s power to subdue every chaos displays His sovereign love and protection for all who call on Him.