Mazmur 24:2

24:2 For he set its foundation upon the seas,

and established ¹  it upon the ocean currents. ² 

Mazmur 29:2

29:2 Acknowledge the majesty of the Lord’s reputation! ³ 

Worship the Lord in holy attire! ⁴ 

Mazmur 46:6

46:6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms are overthrown. ⁵ 

God ⁶  gives a shout, ⁷  the earth dissolves. ⁸ 

Mazmur 105:27

105:27 They executed his miraculous signs among them, ⁹ 

and his amazing deeds in the land of Ham.

Mazmur 107:26

107:26 They ¹⁰  reached up to the sky,

then dropped into the depths.

The sailors’ strength ¹¹  left them ¹²  because the danger was so great. ¹³ 

Mazmur 107:30

107:30 The sailors ¹⁴  rejoiced because the waves ¹⁵  grew quiet,

and he led them to the harbor ¹⁶  they desired.

[24:2]  ¹ tn The prefixed verbal form is understood as a preterite, referring to the creation of the world.

[24:2]  ² sn He…established it upon the ocean currents. The description reflects ancient Israelite prescientific cosmology, which is based on outward appearances. The language also suggests that God’s creative work involved the subjugation of chaos, symbolized by the sea.

[29:2]  ³ tn Heb “ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name.” The Hebrew term שֵׁם (shem, “name”) refers here to the Lord’s reputation. (The English term “name” is often used the same way.)

[29:2]  ⁴ tn That is, properly dressed for the occasion.

[46:6]  ⁵ tn Heb “nations roar, kingdoms shake.” The Hebrew verb הָמָה (hamah, “roar, be in uproar”) is used in v. 3 of the waves crashing, while the verb מוֹט (mot, “overthrown”) is used in v. 2 of mountains tumbling into the sea (see also v. 5, where the psalm affirms that Jerusalem “cannot be moved”). The repetition of the verbs suggests that the language of vv. 2-3 is symbolic and depicts the upheaval that characterizes relationships between the nations of the earth. As some nations (symbolized by the surging, chaotic waters) show hostility, others (symbolized by the mountains) come crashing down to destruction. The surging waters are symbolic of chaotic forces in other poetic texts (see, for example, Isa 17:12; Jer 51:42) and mountains can symbolize strong kingdoms (see, for example, Jer 51:25).

[46:6]  ⁶ tn Heb “He.” God is the obvious referent here (see v. 5), and has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[46:6]  ⁷ tn Heb “offers his voice.” In theophanic texts the phrase refers to God’s thunderous shout which functions as a battle cry (see Pss 18:13; 68:33).

[46:6]  ⁸ tn Or “melts.” See Amos 9:5. The image depicts the nation’s helplessness before Jerusalem’s defender, who annihilates their armies (see vv. 8-9). The imperfect verbal form emphasizes the characteristic nature of the action described.

[105:27]  ⁹ tn Apparently the pronoun refers to “his servants” (i.e., the Israelites, see v. 25).

[107:26]  ¹⁰ tn That is, the waves (see v. 25).

[107:26]  ¹¹ tn Heb “their being”; traditionally “their soul” (referring to that of the sailors). This is sometimes translated “courage” (cf. NIV, NRSV).

[107:26]  ¹² tn Or “melted.”

[107:26]  ¹³ tn Heb “from danger.”

[107:30]  ¹⁴ tn Heb “they”; the referent (the sailors) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[107:30]  ¹⁵ tn Heb “they”; the referent (the waves) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[107:30]  ¹⁶ tn The Hebrew noun occurs only here in the OT.