1 | O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures for ever! |
2 | Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble |
3 | and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. |
4 | Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; |
5 | hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. |
6 | Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress; |
7 | he led them by a straight way, till they reached a city to dwell in. |
8 | Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to the sons of men! |
9 | For he satisfies him who is thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things. |
10 | Some sat in darkness and in gloom, prisoners in affliction and in irons, |
11 | for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. |
12 | Their hearts were bowed down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help. |
13 | Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress; |
14 | he brought them out of darkness and gloom, and broke their bonds asunder. |
15 | Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to the sons of men! |
16 | For he shatters the doors of bronze, and cuts in two the bars of iron. |
17 | Some were sick through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; |
18 | they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. |
19 | Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress; |
20 | he sent forth his word, and healed them, and delivered them from destruction. |
21 | Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to the sons of men! |
22 | And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy! |
23 | Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; |
24 | they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep. |
25 | For he commanded, and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. |
26 | They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; |
27 | they reeled and staggered like drunken men, and were at their wits' end. |
28 | Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress; |
29 | he made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. |
30 | Then they were glad because they had quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. |
31 | Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to the sons of men! |
32 | Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. |
33 | He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, |
34 | a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the wickedness of its inhabitants. |
35 | He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water. |
36 | And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in; |
37 | they sow fields, and plant vineyards, and get a fruitful yield. |
38 | By his blessing they multiply greatly; and he does not let their cattle decrease. |
39 | When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, trouble, and sorrow, |
40 | he pours contempt upon princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes; |
41 | but he raises up the needy out of affliction, and makes their families like flocks. |
42 | The upright see it and are glad; and all wickedness stops its mouth. |
43 | Whoever is wise, let him give heed to these things; let men consider the steadfast love of the LORD. |