20 Important Bible Verses About Ocean (With Commentary)

The ocean, with its vastness and power, serves as a metaphor for God’s boundless love, His faithfulness, and His sovereignty. The Bible contains verses that draw upon the imagery of the ocean to convey spiritual truths and inspire awe.

Join me as we delve into Scripture, exploring profound Bible verses about the ocean, and uncovering the depth of God’s love and the peace that comes from trusting in His unfathomable power.

Bible Verses About Ocean

Psalm 93:4

“Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty!”

This verse proclaims the Lord’s greatness and sovereignty, comparing it to the powerful might of the ocean’s thundering waves. It reminds us that while the ocean may seem vast and powerful, God is even mightier.

Isaiah 51:15

“For I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD Almighty is his name.”

Here, God identifies Himself as the one who stirs up the sea and causes its tumultuous waves to roar. It highlights His control over all creation, even the great and unpredictable ocean.

Job 38:8-11

“Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb, when I made clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling band, and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors, and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?”

These verses contain God’s rhetorical questions to Job, challenging him to consider God’s power and design in the creation of the world. The passage describes how God set limits for the sea and its waves, reminding us of His control and order in all things.

Matthew 8:26

“And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?’ Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”

Jesus demonstrates His authority over the natural elements by calming a raging storm on the sea. This passage reminds us that even the most tumultuous situations can be under God’s control, as demonstrated by Jesus in this miraculous moment.

Psalm 107:23-24

“Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep.”

These verses describe the experiences of sailors who witnessed the wonders and power of the Lord while on the ocean. It reminds us that even in the vastness of the sea, God can reveal Himself and His works in powerful ways.

Psalm 95:5

“The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.”

This verse emphasizes God’s ownership and creation of the sea. It reminds us that the ocean, like all of creation, ultimately belongs to and exists for God’s purposes.

Jonah 1:15-16

“So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows.”

These verses describe Jonah’s disobedience and the storm that ensued, as well as the crew’s reaction to his being thrown into the sea. The passage demonstrates God’s power to bring about repentance and worship even in the midst of difficult and unlikely circumstances.

Psalm 96:11-12

“Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy.”

These verses call on all of creation, including the sea, to praise and rejoice in God’s goodness and righteousness. It emphasizes the joyful celebration that can result when we acknowledge God’s greatness and power.

Revelation 21:1

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.”

This verse describes the vision of a new heaven and earth, in which the sea is no more. It reminds us of the temporary nature of this current world and the promise of a new and perfect creation yet to come.

Psalm 136:6

“To him who spread out the earth above the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever”

This verse gives thanks to God for His love and creation of the earth, which is described as being spread out above the waters. It reminds us of God’s role as creator and sustainer of all things.

Genesis 1:9-10

“And God said, ‘Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.’ And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.”

These verses depict God’s creation of the seas and the dry land. It emphasizes God’s intention and pleasure in His creation, setting the stage for the rest of the biblical narrative.

Job 26:10

“He has inscribed a circle on the face of the waters at the boundary between light and darkness.”

Here, Job describes God’s authority over the ocean and its boundaries. The image of a circle inscribed on the ocean reinforces the idea of God’s control and plan in all things, including the movements of the waters.

Exodus 14:21-22

“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.”

This passage describes God’s miraculous parting of the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross, demonstrating His power over nature and His faithfulness to His people.

Psalm 77:19

“Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen.”

These verses describe God’s unseen path through the sea and great waters. It reminds us that even when we cannot see God’s plans or movements, He is still at work and in control.

Acts 27:20

“When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.”

This verse describes a difficult and tumultuous storm that left sailors feeling hopeless and abandoned. It serves as a reminder that even in the midst of our most trying circumstances, God can still bring about rescue and deliverance.

Psalm 107:28-29

“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.”

These verses describe how the Lord delivered sailors from their tumultuous storm and brought them to safety. It illustrates God’s faithfulness to those who call on Him in times of trouble.

Psalm 24:1-2

“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.”

This verse emphasizes God’s ownership and sovereignty over the earth, which is founded upon the seas and established by Him. It serves as a reminder that all of creation belongs to God.

Psalm 107:23-24

“Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep.”

These verses describe sailors who witnessed God’s wonders and power while on the ocean. It reminds us that even in the vastness of the sea, God can reveal Himself and His works in powerful ways.

Mark 6:48-50

“And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.’”

These verses describe Jesus walking on the sea and calming his disciples’ fears. It shows that even in the midst of an unpredictable and dangerous ocean, Jesus can bring hope and peace.

What does the bible say About Ocean

The Bible mentions the ocean in various passages, and its references generally focus on its vastness, power, and symbolism. Here are some key aspects:

1. Creation: In the biblical account of creation, the ocean is mentioned as one of the primary elements of the world. In Genesis 1:9-10, God separates the waters to create the seas, symbolizing the boundary between the waters above and below.
2. God’s Power and Sovereignty: Several passages depict the ocean as a demonstration of God’s power and control over creation. For example, Psalm 93:3-4 says, “The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty!”
3. Symbolism of Chaos and Turmoil: The ocean is often used metaphorically to represent chaos, turmoil, and the uncertainties of life. In Isaiah 57:20, it says, “But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt.”
4. Crossing and Deliverance: The Bible records several instances where significant events involved crossing bodies of water. One of the most well-known is the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 14, where God delivered the Israelites from Egypt.
5. Symbolism of Restlessness: The ocean is likened to the restlessness of the human heart in its pursuit of satisfaction. Proverbs 27:20 says, “Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man.”
6. Symbolism of Gentile Nations: In biblical prophecy, the sea can represent the nations or gentile peoples. Revelation 13:1 refers to a beast rising out of the sea, representing a powerful and oppressive kingdom.
7. Symbol of the Gentile Church: Similarly, the sea can symbolize the mass of humanity outside of God’s covenant community. Revelation 17:15 describes the great prostitute seated on many waters, representing the seduction of people away from God.

Throughout the Bible, the ocean serves as a powerful and evocative symbol, capturing both the greatness and majesty of God’s creation, as well as the tumultuous nature of human existence. Its portrayal depends on the context and theme of the specific passage, but overall, it serves as a reminder of God’s sovereignty and the need for trust and faith in Him amidst life’s uncertainties.