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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/107.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/107.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />They reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits&#8217 end.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/107.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They reeled and staggered like drunkards and were at their wits’ end.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/107.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/107.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They reeled and staggered like drunkards, and all their skill was useless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/107.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/107.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits’ end.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/107.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They reeled and staggered like a drunken person, And were at their wits’ end.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/107.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They reeled and staggered like a drunken man, And were at their wits&#8217 end.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/107.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />They reeled and staggered like a drunken man, And were at their wits’ end.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/107.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They staggered and swayed like a drunken man, And all their wisdom was swallowed up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/107.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They staggered and trembled like a drunken man, And were at their wits’ end [all their wisdom was useless].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/107.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />they reeled and staggered like a drunkard, and all their skill was useless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/107.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />they reeled and staggered like drunken men, and all their skill was useless. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/107.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits' end.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/107.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You staggered like drunkards and gave up all hope. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/107.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/107.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They reeled and staggered like drunks, and all their skills as sailors became useless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/107.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />they stumbled and staggered like drunks--all their skill was useless. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/107.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They reeled and staggered like a drunkard, as all their wisdom became useless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/107.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They reeled and staggered like drunkards, and all their skill was useless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/107.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They swayed and staggered like a drunk, and all their skill proved ineffective. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/107.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They reel back and forth, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/107.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/107.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They reel back and forth, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/107.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />They reel to and fro, and move as a drunkard, "" And all their wisdom is swallowed up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/107.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> They reel to and fro, and move as a drunkard, And all their wisdom is swallowed up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/107.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />They will reel and stagger as he intoxicated, and all their wisdom will be swallowed down.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/107.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They were troubled, and reeled like a drunken man; and all their wisdom was swallowed up. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/107.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 106:27>They were troubled, and they moved like a drunkard, and all their wisdom was consumed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/107.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They reeled, staggered like drunkards; their skill was of no avail. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/107.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />they reeled and staggered like drunkards, and were at their wits’ end.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/107.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/107.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />They shook and were agitated like drunkards and all their wisdom came to nothing.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/107.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />They reeled to and fro, and staggered like a drunken man, And all their wisdom was swallowed up--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/107.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />They are troubled, they stagger as a drunkard, and all their wisdom is swallowed up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/107-27.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=13764" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/107.htm">Give Thanks to the LORD, for He is Good</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">26</span>They mounted up to the heavens, then sunk to the depths; their courage melted in their anguish. <span class="reftext">27</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2287.htm" title="2287: yā·ḥō·w·gū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to move in a circle, i.e. to march in a sacred procession, to observe a festival; by implication, to be giddy.">They reeled</a> <a href="/hebrew/5128.htm" title="5128: wə·yā·nū·‘ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to waver, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively.">and staggered</a> <a href="/hebrew/7910.htm" title="7910: kaš·šik·kō·wr (Prep-k, Art:: Adj-ms) -- Drunken. Or shikkor; from shakar; intoxicated, as a state or a habit.">like drunkards,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: wə·ḵāl (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">and all</a> <a href="/hebrew/2451.htm" title="2451: ḥā·ḵə·mā·ṯām (N-fsc:: 3mp) -- Wisdom. From chakam; wisdom.">their skill</a> <a href="/hebrew/1104.htm" title="1104: tiṯ·bal·lā‘ (V-Hitpael-Imperf-3fs) -- To swallow down, swallow up, engulf. A primitive root; to make away with; generally, to destroy.">was useless.</a> </span><span class="reftext">28</span>Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jonah/1-13.htm">Jonah 1:13-15</a></span><br />Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea was raging against them more and more. / So they cried out to the LORD: “Please, O LORD, do not let us perish on account of this man’s life! Do not charge us with innocent blood! For You, O LORD, have done as You pleased.” / Then they picked up Jonah and cast him into the sea, and the raging sea grew calm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/8-24.htm">Matthew 8:24-27</a></span><br />Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was engulfed by the waves. But Jesus was sleeping. / The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” / “You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/4-37.htm">Mark 4:37-39</a></span><br />Soon a violent windstorm came up, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was being swamped. / But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him and said, “Teacher, don’t You care that we are perishing?” / Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/8-23.htm">Luke 8:23-25</a></span><br />As they sailed, He fell asleep, and a windstorm came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. / The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters, and they subsided, and all was calm. / “Where is your faith?” He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/27-18.htm">Acts 27:18-20</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/19-3.htm">Isaiah 19:3</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/12-25.htm">Job 12:25</a></span><br />They grope in the darkness without light; He makes them stagger like drunkards.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-27.htm">Proverbs 1:27</a></span><br />when your dread comes like a storm, and your destruction like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish overwhelm you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/7-26.htm">Ezekiel 7:26</a></span><br />Disaster upon disaster will come, and rumor after rumor. Then they will seek a vision from a prophet, but instruction from the priests will perish, as will counsel from the elders.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-6.htm">James 1:6</a></span><br />But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-17.htm">Revelation 18:17</a></span><br />For in a single hour such fabulous wealth has been destroyed!” Every shipmaster, passenger, and sailor, and all who make their living from the sea, will stand at a distance<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/24-20.htm">Isaiah 24:20</a></span><br />The earth staggers like a drunkard and sways like a shack. Earth’s rebellion weighs it down, and it falls, never to rise again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/25-16.htm">Jeremiah 25:16</a></span><br />And they will drink and stagger and go out of their minds, because of the sword that I will send among them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nahum/1-6.htm">Nahum 1:6</a></span><br />Who can withstand His indignation? Who can endure His burning anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; even rocks are shattered before Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/14-20.htm">1 Samuel 14:20</a></span><br />Then Saul and all his troops assembled and marched to the battle, and they found the Philistines in total confusion, with each man wielding the sword against his neighbor.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end.</p><p class="hdg">stagger</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/12-24.htm">Job 12:24</a></b></br> He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness <i>where there is</i> no way.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/19-14.htm">Isaiah 19:14</a></b></br> The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken <i>man</i> staggereth in his vomit.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/29-9.htm">Isaiah 29:9</a></b></br> Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.</p><p class="hdg">are at their wit's end.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/37-20.htm">Job 37:20</a></b></br> Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/19-3.htm">Isaiah 19:3</a></b></br> And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/27-15.htm">Acts 27:15-20</a></b></br> And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let <i>her</i> drive… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/12-25.htm">Drunkard</a> <a href="/job/12-25.htm">Drunken</a> <a href="/psalms/106-34.htm">End</a> <a href="/psalms/107-20.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/psalms/104-26.htm">Fro</a> <a href="/psalms/107-9.htm">Full</a> <a href="/psalms/104-26.htm">Move</a> <a href="/psalms/60-3.htm">Reel</a> <a href="/psalms/18-7.htm">Reeled</a> <a href="/psalms/83-13.htm">Rolling</a> <a href="/psalms/60-3.htm">Stagger</a> <a href="/romans/4-20.htm">Staggered</a> <a href="/psalms/106-17.htm">Swallowed</a> <a href="/psalms/106-43.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/psalms/104-15.htm">Wine</a> <a href="/psalms/105-22.htm">Wisdom</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/23-21.htm">Drunkard</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-14.htm">Drunken</a> <a href="/psalms/107-40.htm">End</a> <a href="/psalms/108-11.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-6.htm">Fro</a> <a href="/psalms/110-6.htm">Full</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-28.htm">Move</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-23.htm">Reel</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-8.htm">Reeled</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-27.htm">Rolling</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-11.htm">Stagger</a> <a href="/amos/4-8.htm">Staggered</a> <a href="/psalms/124-3.htm">Swallowed</a> <a href="/psalms/107-33.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-10.htm">Wine</a> <a href="/psalms/111-10.htm">Wisdom</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 107</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/107-1.htm">The psalmist exhorts the redeemed in praising God to observe his manifold providence</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/107-4.htm">Over travelers</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/107-10.htm">Over captives</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/107-17.htm">Over sick men</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/107-23.htm">Over sailors</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/107-33.htm">And in diverse varieties of life.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/107.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/107.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>They reeled and staggered like drunkards</b><br>This phrase captures the imagery of sailors caught in a violent storm at sea, a common occurrence in the ancient Near East, where the Mediterranean Sea was known for its sudden and fierce tempests. The comparison to drunkards emphasizes the loss of control and disorientation experienced by the sailors. In biblical literature, drunkenness often symbolizes a lack of spiritual discernment or judgment (<a href="/isaiah/19-14.htm">Isaiah 19:14</a>, <a href="/jeremiah/25-27.htm">Jeremiah 25:27</a>). This imagery can also be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual state of those who are far from God, highlighting their vulnerability and instability without divine guidance.<p><b>and all their skill was useless</b><br>Despite the sailors' expertise and experience, they found themselves powerless against the forces of nature. This underscores the biblical theme of human limitation and the futility of relying solely on human wisdom and strength (<a href="/proverbs/21-30.htm">Proverbs 21:30</a>, <a href="/1_corinthians/1-25.htm">1 Corinthians 1:25</a>). The phrase reflects the broader biblical narrative that true wisdom and deliverance come from God alone. It also points to the sovereignty of God over creation, as seen in Jesus calming the storm in the Gospels (<a href="/mark/4-39.htm">Mark 4:39</a>), demonstrating His authority over the natural world and His ability to bring peace amidst chaos.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/sailors_at_sea.htm">Sailors at Sea</a></b><br>The context of <a href="/psalms/107-27.htm">Psalm 107:27</a> involves sailors caught in a storm at sea. This imagery is used to describe the overwhelming nature of life's trials and the helplessness of human effort without divine intervention.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sea.htm">The Sea</a></b><br>Represents chaos and the uncontrollable forces of nature, often used in Scripture to symbolize life's unpredictable challenges.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_storm.htm">The Storm</a></b><br>A metaphor for the trials and tribulations that people face, which can leave them feeling powerless and disoriented.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god.htm">Dependence on God</a></b><br>Human skill and wisdom are insufficient in the face of life's greatest challenges. We must rely on God's power and guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_human_effort.htm">The Futility of Human Effort</a></b><br>Just as the sailors' skills were useless in the storm, our own efforts are often inadequate without God's intervention.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_the_storm.htm">Faith in the Storm</a></b><br>Trials are opportunities to deepen our faith and trust in God, who is sovereign over all circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Recognize that God is in control, even when life feels chaotic and overwhelming.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_and_deliverance.htm">Prayer and Deliverance</a></b><br>In times of distress, turning to God in prayer is crucial, as He is our deliverer and refuge.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_107.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 107</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/psalm_107_25-29__god,_storms,_science.htm">Psalm 107:25–29 – How can one reconcile the account of God raising a storm and calming it instantaneously with modern scientific understanding of weather systems? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_christians_get_the_beast's_mark_unknowingly.htm">What is the meaning of Psalm 27:4?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_enemies_'stumble_and_fall'_in_battle.htm">(Psalm 27:2-3) What evidence supports the idea that enemies literally 'stumble and fall,' and how does this align with actual battlefield outcomes?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_the_great_architect.htm">What is the Great Architect of the Universe?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/107.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(27) <span class= "bld">Reel to and fro.</span>--Or more exactly, <span class= "ital">spin round and round.</span><p><span class= "bld">Are at their wit's end.</span>--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 <a href="/psalms/22-14.htm" title="I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the middle of my bowels.">Psalm 22:14</a>; but he has evidently himself been to sea and experienced the dangers and discomforts he so graphically describes. Ovid (<span class= "ital">Trist. </span>i. 2) has been quoted in illustration:<p>"Me miserum, quanti montes volvuntur aquarum<p>Jamjam tacturos sidera summa putes.<p>Quantae diducto subsidunt aequore valles:<p>Jamjam tacturas Tartura nigra putes<p>Rector in incerto est, nec quid fugiatve petatve<p>Invenit: <span class= "ital">ambiguis ars stupet ipsa malis."</span><p>See on this passage Addison in <span class= "ital">Spectator, </span>No. 489.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/107.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 27.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man</span>. The oldest sailor "loses his sea-legs," and staggers about the deck like a landsman, or like one drunk. <span class="cmt_word">And are at their wit's end</span>; literally, as in the margin, <span class="accented">and all their</span> <span class="accented">wisdom is swallowed</span>. But the English idiom of the Authorized Version is a very happy, <span class="accented">one</span>, and exactly expresses the writer's meaning. All the seaman's intelligence is at fault, and can suggest nothing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/107-27.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">They reeled</span><br /><span class="heb">יָח֣וֹגּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḥō·w·gū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2287.htm">Strong's 2287: </a> </span><span class="str2">To make a pilgrimage, keep a pilgrim feast</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and staggered</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֭יָנוּעוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yā·nū·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5128.htm">Strong's 5128: </a> </span><span class="str2">To quiver, wave, waver, tremble, totter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like drunkards,</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּשִּׁכּ֑וֹר</span> <span class="translit">(kaš·šik·kō·wr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7910.htm">Strong's 7910: </a> </span><span class="str2">Intoxicated, as a, state, a habit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and all</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their skill</span><br /><span class="heb">חָ֝כְמָתָ֗ם</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·ḵə·mā·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2451.htm">Strong's 2451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wisdom</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was useless.</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּתְבַּלָּֽע׃</span> <span class="translit">(tiṯ·bal·lā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1104.htm">Strong's 1104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To swallow down, swallow up, engulf</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/107-27.htm">Psalm 107:27 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/107-27.htm">Psalm 107:27 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/107-27.htm">Psalm 107:27 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/107-27.htm">Psalm 107:27 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/107-27.htm">Psalm 107:27 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/107-27.htm">Psalm 107:27 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/107-27.htm">Psalm 107:27 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/107-27.htm">Psalm 107:27 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/107-27.htm">Psalm 107:27 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/107-27.htm">Psalm 107:27 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/107-27.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 107:27 They reel back and forth and stagger (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/107-26.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 107:26"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 107:26" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/107-28.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 107:28"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 107:28" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>