In Psalms one hundred seven the Psalmist said, “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing”, and in chapter one hundred seven and verse twenty-three of Psalms the Psalmist shared about, “they that go down to the sea in ships” where we read,
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
The verse begins, “They that go down to the sea in ships, …” The Psalmist began with the words, “they that go down” or “ they, the people who are as follows, who descend, decline, sink and march to a lower region” “to the sea” which means “toward the large body of water such as the Red, Dead or Mediterranean Seas” “in ships” or “within large boats or sailing vessels”. The Psalmist referred to people who descend to their sailing vessels upon the large body of water known as “Sea”.
The verse goes on to say, “… that do business in great waters;” The Psalmist continued with the words, “that do business” or “who fashion, accomplish and produce occupations, property, workmanship and service” “in great waters” which means “within abounding, numerous and increasingly enough waters”. The Psalmist said the people who descend to the “sea in ships” produce work and service within the abundant waters.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how the Psalmist referred to sailing people who sail upon the “sea” to conduct work and service there. The people upon the land forsook the ways of God and suffered affliction, and now those who sail upon the “sea” will experience difficulties. God covers all the earth, and whether land or sea, His desire is to save all people from the penalty for sins which is eternal death and separation from Him. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we surrender our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and be with us wherever we conduct our “business” in this world.
Next time the Psalmist says, “these see the works of the LORD”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website “thewordfortodaywithray.com” or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book “Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II” and the new novel “Elizabeth County” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from “Strongs Concordance”.
Ray Hanselman 