In these verses the psalmist describes how Yahweh saved the seafarers.

In verse 29 the text does not say how the LORD made the storm be still; presumably it was with a command, as in verse 25 (and also verse 20). In line b the appropriate verb would be “and the waves subsided”; more popularly, “the waves calmed down.”

In verse 30a the subject is still the same, that is, the men on the ships (see verse 26a in Good News Translation); it may be better to reintroduce the subject, since “the waves” of verse 29b is the nearest plural antecedent. In line b haven translates a word found only here in the Old Testament; it is an Akkadian loanword meaning “city.” The verb phrase he brought them must not be translated in such a way as to picture Yahweh carrying the ship into port. The picture is that God guided and led them to a safe harbor; “caused them to reach their destination port.”

Verse 31 is like verse 8.

For extol him in verse 32a, see “exalt” in 34.3 and 12.8, and for the congregation of the people, see 22.22, 25. The psalmist calls upon the people who have been rescued by the LORD to praise him in public worship in the Temple. The elders are the leaders of the people, or perhaps more specifically the male heads of families.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .