Overall meaning : The Almighty mentions that whenever He lets the idolaters who ascribe partners to Him taste a blessing after some misfortune has afflicted them, they engage in scheming by denying and mocking the truth. In response to such evil scheming, Allah directs His Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, to say to them: Allah is swifter in drawing you towards destruction step by step than you in your devising evil schemes. His angels record whatever plots you devise.
It is He who enables you to travel by land and sea. When you are in the ships which sail with you in a favourable wind and, while the passengers rejoice at such fair wind, a tempestuous wind overtakes them and the waves come upon them from every side. Knowing for certain that they are encompassed by death they cannot possibly escape drowning, they sincerely call upon Allah, saying, 'If You save us from this hardship, we will truly be among the thankful.’
Nevertheless, as soon as He has saved them, they break their promise to Him and transgress in the land unjustly by disobeying His commands, committing acts of unbelief and oppression and worshipping false gods besides Him. Mankind, He declares, your rebellion is only against yourselves. What you seek and get by your offenses is only the enjoyment of the present, worldly life, then to Allah will you be returned on the Day of Judgement, and He will inform you of your good and bad actions in this life and repay you according to them.