Bible Strands
Psalms 107:26
They mounted up to the heavens, then sunk to the depths; their courage melted in their anguish.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist describes mariners caught in a divinely sent tempest, recounting their experience to the gathered assembly.
The words — תִתְמוֹגָֽג (tit.mo.Gag) literally means "it melted," describing the complete dissolution of their נַפְשָׁם (naf.sham), "soul" or courage, under distress.
The thread — The motif of courage or heart melting under pressure appears in Psalms 22:14, Psalms 119:28, and 2 Samuel 17:10.
Why it lands — The text states that human skill and fortitude collapse in a crisis, which interpreters infer as a demand to recognize the limits of human control and the necessity of divine rescue.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
Cross-references
- Psalms 22:14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are disjointed. My heart is like wax; it melts away within me.
- Psalms 119:28 My soul melts with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your word.
- 2 Samuel 17:10 Then even the most valiant soldier with the heart of a lion will melt with fear, because all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man who has valiant men with him.
- Isaiah 13:7 Therefore all hands will fall limp, and every man’s heart will melt.
- Nahum 2:10 She is emptied! Yes, she is desolate and laid waste! Hearts melt, knees knock, bodies tremble, and every face grows pale!