He Stills the Roaring of the Seas

Psalm 65, Part 2, is a song of power, awe, and the joy of creation. If Part 1 dwelt on prayer and nearness to God, Part 2 turns outward to the whole world: God stills the roaring of the seas and the tumult of the nations, fills the ends of the earth with awe, and then opens His hand and pours blessing over the land — until the meadows, hills, and valleys break into song.

The chapter moves in two great motions. First the power: the same God who stills the waves of the sea by His strength also stills the "tumult of the peoples" — the noise and turmoil of human beings and of history. And from there to the kindness: "You visit the earth and water it" — You remember the land and water it, You fill the river of God with water, You drench the furrows and bless the growth. The blessing is so great that even the pastures of the wilderness drip with abundance, and all creation girds itself with joy and shouts in song.

The central verse of the chapter, chosen as the title of the song, is:

"He stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the tumult of the peoples."

The same power that calms the raging sea is the power that rules the nations and the storms of life. When the world roars around us — in the sea, among the peoples, or within the heart — there is One who can still it all. This is a great comfort: no storm is greater than He.