A life of rebellion against God is defined by constant restlessness. Unlike the profound peace granted to the righteous, those who stubbornly refuse to repent are trapped in an endless cycle of internal and external turmoil [רש״י, מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד].
Their condition is compared to a violently stormy sea. The primary approach among commentators understands this imagery as a state of violent shaking and aggressive casting outward [מצודת ציון, אבן עזרא], while others view it as a description of murky, polluted waters [שד״ל]. The crashing waves serve as a powerful reflection of human arrogance. Just as ocean waves proudly rise, attempting to break past the boundaries of sand established by God, they ultimately shatter. The wave that follows sees the destruction but learns nothing, stubbornly repeating the exact same action. In the same way, the wicked watch their peers face the consequences of their evil, yet refuse to abandon their own destructive paths [רש״י].
This chaotic state continues indefinitely, as the stormy waters are completely incapable of finding calm [מצודת ציון]. On an internal level, a storm of negative desires and urges constantly churns within them. This inner turbulence clouds their judgment and character, entirely preventing them from experiencing any lasting peace of mind [מלבי״ם, שטיינזלץ]. Externally, they never take a moment to rest from causing trouble in the world and engaging in evil, persisting until the day they die [רד״ק]. This inability to quiet the storm reveals a tragic reality. Just as the churning sea can never make its waters perfectly clear, those who are completely consumed by wickedness have no cure [שד״ל, אבן עזרא].
The inevitable result of this endless storm is the churning up of wet, heavy mud [מצודת ציון]. Just as the restless ocean continually spits dirt and debris onto its shores, the turbulent spirit of these individuals naturally produces negative actions, causing ongoing pain and harm to those around them [מצודת דוד, שטיינזלץ]. Another perspective focuses on their speech. Just as the sea pushes pollution up to its surface, the wicked are filled with foul words of arrogance and denial of God. Their speech echoes the boastful, rebellious declarations made by ancient figures like Pharaoh, Sennacherib, and Nebuchadnezzar [רש״י].