Lexical Summary so: Devastation, ruin, desolation Original Word: שׂוֹא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance arise From an unused root (akin to nasa' and show') meaning to rise; a rising -- arise. see HEBREW nasa' see HEBREW show' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originthe same as nasa, q.v. Topical Lexicon Root And Semantic Range שׂוֹא (Strong’s 7721) denotes the up-surge or swelling of the sea. By extension it conveys any sudden, powerful rising that threatens to overwhelm. The word paints a vivid picture of chaotic forces lifting themselves against divine order. Canonical Context The single occurrence appears in Psalm 89:9: “You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, You still them”. Here שׂוֹא encapsulates the tumult that only the Sovereign LORD can restrain. Psalm 89 is a Davidic covenant psalm extolling God’s steadfast love and unassailable kingship; the sea’s surging becomes the song-writer’s emblem of all opposition that Yahweh effortlessly subdues. Historical And Literary Background In the ancient Near East, the sea symbolized chaos and malevolent powers. Mariners dreaded sudden swells that could capsize primitive vessels. Israel’s poets borrowed that imagery to magnify the LORD, contrasting human frailty with divine mastery. By selecting the rare noun שׂוֹא, Ethan the Ezrahite draws listeners’ minds to the moment a storm heaves upward, catching sailors unprepared—precisely when God’s intervention is most dramatic. Theological Significance 1. Divine Sovereignty: Psalm 89:9 links God’s kingship over creation with His covenant faithfulness. The same power that calms the sea undergirds His oath to David (Psalm 89:3-4, 35-37). Typological Foreshadowing Jesus’ calming of the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:35-41) echoes Psalm 89:9. When He rebukes the wind and waves with “Peace! Be still!” He demonstrates the same authority attributed to Yahweh over שׂוֹא. The disciples’ awe—“Who is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!”—invites readers to identify Jesus as the covenant LORD incarnate. Usage In Worship And Hymnody Psalm 89 has informed hymns such as “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” and “O Worship the King.” Each borrows the motif of God ruling the restless wave to foster assurance during life’s storms. The specific image of שׂוֹא helps worshippers visualize the instant a surge is arrested by divine command. Practical Ministry Application • Pastoral Care: When counselees feel overwhelmed, ministers may reference Psalm 89:9 to remind them that God reigns even when circumstances rise suddenly. Contemporary Relevance Modern believers still face “surging seas”—economic upheaval, cultural hostility, personal grief. Shifting tides need not induce panic, for the God of Psalm 89 remains on the throne. Recognizing His authority over שׂוֹא cultivates resilient hope, courageous mission, and reverent worship. Forms and Transliterations בְּשׂ֥וֹא בשוא bə·śō·w beSo bəśōwLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 89:9 HEB: בְּגֵא֣וּת הַיָּ֑ם בְּשׂ֥וֹא גַ֝לָּ֗יו אַתָּ֥ה KJV: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest INT: the swelling of the sea arise waves You 1 Occurrence |
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