Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 24:2
For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
2. For he &c.] HE is emphatic. It is HE and no other who laid the foundation of the world (Psa 104:5; Job 38:4). The land rising out of the water is supposed to rest upon it. Cp. Psa 136:6; and the idea of the subterranean abyss of waters in Gen 7:11; and “the water under the earth” in Exo 20:4. It is a popular or poetic conception derived from phenomena; yet possibly the idea that the earth was firmly fixed upon such a foundation suggested the Creator’s power much in the same way as the suspension and motion of the earth in space may do to us.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
For he hath founded it upon the seas – That is, the earth, or the habitable world. The ground of the claim to the earth and all that it contains, which is here asserted, is the fact that God had created it, or founded it. The language used here – he hath founded it, that is, he has laid the foundation of it, upon the seas and the floods – is in accordance with the usual mode of speaking of the earth in the Scriptures as laid upon a foundation – as a house is raised on a firm foundation. See the notes at Job 38:6. As the earth appeared to be surrounded by water, it was natural to speak of it as founded also upon the waters. There is probably an allusion here to the statement in Gen 1:9-10, where the waters are said to have been so gathered together that the dry land appeared. Above all the waters the earth was established, so as to become the abode of plants, animals, and man.
And established it upon the floods – The streams; the torrents. The earth has been elevated above them, so as to be a residence for animals and for men. The essential thought is, that this earth has become what it is by the fact that God has founded it; and, therefore, what it produces belongs of right to Him.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 2. He hath founded it upon the seas] He not only created the vast mass, but separated the land from the waters, so that the mountains, &c., being elevated above the waters, appear to be founded on them, and notwithstanding all the tossings and ragings of the ocean, these waters cannot prevail. It is established upon the floods, and cannot be shaken.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Justly have I said that the earth is the Lords, for he made it, and laid the foundation of it, and that in a wonderful manner. By the
seas and floods he means the whole collection of waters, as well the sea and rivers running into it, as that great abyss of waters which is contained in the bowels of the earth, of which see Gen 7:11; 49:25; 2Pe 3:5. This is here mentioned as an evidence of Gods wise, and powerful, and gracious providence, that he hath built so vast a building upon so weak a foundation as the waters are, Mic 6:2; and that although the waters are lighter than the earth, and therefore are naturally inclined to be above it, as they were at first; yet God hath so far overruled the inclinations of nature, that the waters shall as it were deny themselves, and run down into channels and caverns of the earth, that so the earth may be a convenient habitation for men and beasts. See Gen 1:9; Exo 20:4; Psa 104:6.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2. Poetically represents thefacts of Ge 1:9.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For he hath founded it upon the seas,…. Or “with” them, as some interpret e the particle ; he hath founded the earth and seas together, and both upon nothing; and yet are stable and firm; or “by the seas” f, near unto them, at the side of them; which, though higher than the earth, are wonderfully bounded by the power of God, so as not to return and cover the earth; see Job 38:8; so the particle is used in Ps 1:3. Some have thought that the first earth, which Peter says was standing in the water, and out of the water, 2Pe 3:5, was made in the form of an egg, and that the waters were under the earth, and the earth was as a crust or shell over them, until the deluge came; and this crust then broke in, and formed the sea; and so it was literally true, that the earth was founded upon, or over the waters;
and established it upon the floods; the floods of the seas, or rivers of water running to and fro in it: this shows the ground and foundation of Christ’s right and claim to the earth, and all that is in it; which is not by reason of his father’s gift to him as Mediator, but by virtue of his concern in creation, the world, and all things in it, being made and established by him; in him do all things consist, Col 1:16.
e R. Moses in Aben Ezra in loc. f “juxta maria”, Vatablus, Gejerus, Amama; so Kimchi & Ben Melech.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
2. For he hath founded it upon the seas. The Psalmist here confirms the truth, that men are rightfully under the authority and power of God, so that in all places and countries they ought to acknowledge him as King. And he confirms it from the very order manifested in the creation; for the wonderful providence of God is clearly reflected in the whole face of the earth. In order to prove this, he brings forward the proof of it, which is most evident. How is it that the earth appears above the water, but because God purposely intended to prepare a habitation for men? Philosophers themselves admit, that as the element of the water is higher than the earth, it is contrary to the nature of the two elements (542) for any part of the earth to continue uncovered with the waters, and habitable. Accordingly, Job (Job 28:11) extols, in magnificent terms, that signal miracle by which God restrains the violent and tempestuous ragings of the sea, that it may not overwhelm the earth, which, if not thus restrained, it would immediately do and produce horrible confusion. Nor does Moses forget to mention this in the history of the creation. After having narrated that the waters were spread abroad so as to cover the whole earth, he adds, that by an express command of God they retired into one place, in order to leave empty space for the living creatures which were afterwards to be created, (Gen 1:9) From that passage we learn that God had a care about men before they existed, inasmuch as he prepared for them a dwelling-place and other conveniences; and that he did not regard them as entire strangers, seeing he provided for their necessities, not less liberally than the father of a family does for his own children. David does not here dispute philosophically concerning the situation of the earth, when he says, that it has been founded upon the seas. He uses popular language, and adapts himself to the capacity of the unlearned. Yet this manner of speaking, which is taken from what may be judged of by the eye, is not without reason. The element of earth, it is true, in so far as it occupies the lowest place in the order of the sphere, is beneath the waters; but the habitable part of the earth is above the water, and how can we account for it, that this separation of the water from the earth remains stable, but because God has put the waters underneath, as it were for a foundation? Now, as from the creation of the world, God extended his fatherly care to all mankind, the prerogative of honor, by which the Jews excelled all other nations, proceeded only from the free and sovereign choice by which God distinguished them.
(542) “ C’est contre la nature des deux elemens.” — Fr.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(2) Upon the seas.For the idea of the earth resting on water, comp. Psa. 136:6; Pro. 8:25-29. In Genesis the dry land emerges from the water, but is not said to be founded on it. In Job. 26:7 the earth is said to be hung upon nothing. The idea of a water foundation for the earth naturally grew out of the phenomenon of springs, before it was scientifically explained.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2. Founded it upon the seas In appearance, the dry land being surrounded by water, and having emerged from the water, as stated Gen 1:9. Hence, the phrase “waters under the earth,” for ocean.
Exo 20:4. See note on Psa 104:5; Psa 104:9. Elsewhere the true science of the subject is declared, (Job 26:7😉 “He hangeth the earth upon nothing.” The argument is, God, who has founded and who owns the world, sways the destiny of nations.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 24:2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
Ver. 2. For he hath founded it upon the seas ] The solid earth he hath founded upon the liquid waters. This Aristotle acknowledgeth to be a miracle; as also that the waters, which are naturally above the earth, overflow it not, but are kept within their shores, as within doors and bars. This is the very finger of God, and a standing miracle, worthy to be predicated to his praise all the world over, Job 38:6-8 , &c. See Trapp on “ Job 38:6 “ See Trapp on “ Job 38:7 “ See Trapp on “ Job 38:8 “ See also Gen 1:9 , See Trapp on “ Gen 1:9 “
And established it upon the floods
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
founded, &c. Compare 2Pe 3:5. Psa 136:6. Gen 1:1.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
For: Psa 33:6, Psa 95:4, Psa 104:5, Psa 104:6, Psa 136:6, Gen 1:9, Gen 1:10, Job 38:4, Jer 10:11-16, 2Pe 3:5-7
and: Psa 93:1, Psa 96:10, Gen 8:22, Job 38:8-11, Jer 5:22
Reciprocal: Gen 6:7 – I will Exo 9:29 – that the earth Lev 25:2 – When ye Num 33:53 – General 1Sa 2:8 – the pillars Job 26:7 – General Job 38:6 – Whereupon Psa 50:12 – world Psa 65:6 – Which Psa 74:17 – set Psa 89:11 – General Isa 42:5 – he that spread Jer 10:12 – established
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 24:2. For he hath founded it Justly have I said, that the earth is the Lords, for he made it, and laid the foundation of it, and that in a wonderful manner; upon the seas By the seas and floods he means the whole collection of waters, as well the sea and rivers running into it as that great abyss of waters which is contained in the bowels of the earth. This is here mentioned as an evidence of Gods wise and gracious providence, that he hath erected so vast a building upon so weak a foundation as the waters are: for the waters which, at the creation, and again at the deluge, overspread all things, being, by the power of God, driven down into the great deep, and there confined, the earth was, in a wonderful manner, constructed and established as a kind of circular arch upon, or over them. Horne.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
24:2 For he hath founded it upon the {a} seas, and established it upon the floods.
(a) He notes two things: the one, that the earth to man’s judgment seems above the waters: and next, that God miraculously preserves the earth, that it is not drowned with the waters, which naturally are above it.