· Translation: KJV

Psalms 107:26They mount up to the sky; they go down again to the depths. Their soul melts away because of trouble.

The setting

Ancient Israel, ~1000 BC. A psalmist reflects on sailors' terror during Mediterranean storms, using the sea as metaphor for life's chaos. Modern location: Eastern Mediterranean, off Israel's coast.

The emotion here: reflecting on terror while safe, remembering chaos with gratitude

The original word

māwg (מוג) — to melt, dissolve, literally liquify from terror

Why it matters

Ancient ships had no weather prediction, making sudden storms potentially fatal

Read with care

What most readers miss in Psalms 107:26

This describes the physical sensation of terror — your soul literally 'melting' inside

Common misconceptionPeople think this is about actual sailing. It's actually about any overwhelming life situation where you feel completely powerless — job loss, divorce, illness.

Bible Genome reading

Psalms 107:26 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerDavid
EraUnited Kingdom
Primary emotionanxious
Literary typepsalm

Emotional genome

Comfort power20%
Quotability75%
Memorability90%
Crisis relevance95%
Standalone70%
Themes:human frailtyoverwhelming circumstancesterror

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open Psalms 107

Psalms 107:26 comes from the book of Psalms, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to David. The dominant emotion in this verse is anxious, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is urgent. It belongs to the psalm genre of biblical literature. Key themes include human frailty, overwhelming circumstances, terror. Notable phrases: mount up to the sky; go down to the depths; soul melts away because of trouble.

Your reflection

What does Psalms 107:26 mean to you, today?

A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.

Speak your heart →

Get 3 verses for "anxious"

Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.