[2328] Here is a detailing of the purport of the previous aya, especially people’s reverting to their old ways of rebelliousness after having been saved by God from the ghastly grip of horror.
[2329] God Almighty is the One Who grants people the ability to walk, travel and make and use vehicles (cf. al-Ṭabarī, Ibn Kathīr, al-Shawkānī): “The One Who created the species, all of them, and has made for you of vessels and livestock those which you ride. *That you may settle yourselves upon their backs and then remember the favour of your Lord when you have settled upon them and say: “Glorified be He, Who has subjected this to us while we were not able of that. *Indeed to our Lord we are returning”” (43: 12-14).
[2330] People’s journey in life, vulnerable and precarious as it is, is analogous to a sea voyage, where people ride and never are sure when the tide will turn against them. People need to realize that it is only God’s grace that keeps them safe from the woes and perils that stare them in the face. If they do so, they would surely humble themselves willingly to Him. How many a time have people promised God to be more devout when they are met with life’s harsher realities, only but to easily forget about this once they are delivered: “When affliction touches you at sea those you pray to besides Him desert you, but when He brings you back safe to land you turn away—man is ever ungrateful!” (17: 67)
[2331] This second-person plural (you) to third-person plural (them) pronoun shift alludes to the thankless Deniers (cf. Ibn ʿĀshūr).