[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.
