Psalms 107:27

25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.

They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.

28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
They reeled and staggered like drunkards, and all their skill was useless.
KJV
They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.
WEB
They reel back and forth, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.
ASV
They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits` end.
DARBY
They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and they are at their wits' end:
BLB
They reel and stagger like the drunkard, and all their wisdom is swallowed up.
ÅB
De tumlet og vaklet som en drukken mann, og all deres visdom ble til intet.
OTB
De ravet og vaklet som en som er overveldet av drikk,
Og var ved sin vits ende.
B1930
De tumlet og vaklet som en drukken mann, og all deres visdom blev til intet.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Job 12:25

    They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 19:14

    The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 29:9

    Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 19:3

    And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.

    Read in context
  • Acts 27:15–20

    And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 24:20

    The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.

    Read in context
  • Job 37:20

    Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.

    Read in context