Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.
Ver. 7. Which stilleth the noise of the seas] Making a calm at his pleasure; he hath the sea itself, that brutish creature, at his beck and check; so hath he also devils, and masterless men, who seek to subvert civil government, and to lay all level. Hence it followeth,
The noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people] When they are in hurly-burly, and contentions among themselves (Virg. Æneid).
- Saevitque animis ignobile vulgus,
Iamque faces et saxa volant, furor arms ministrat.
Now it is God only that can assuage these tumults; others may stir strife, but God only can stint it, saith Pindarus, Rαδιον πολιν σεισαι και του τυχοντος, αλλ αυθις καθισταναι μονου θεου θερας . It is he alone
Qui terram inertem, qui mare temperat
Ventosum, et urbes regnaque tristia,
Divosque mortalesque turbas
Imperio regit unus aequo.
(Horat. Obadiah 1:4 , lib. 3.)