Psalms 107:1-25, 30-43

Thank the LORD because he is good. His love continues forever. That is what those whom the LORD has saved should say. He has saved them from the enemy and has gathered them from other lands, from east and west, north and south. Some people had wandered in the desert lands. They found no city in which to live. They were hungry and thirsty, and they were discouraged. In their misery they cried out to the LORD, and he saved them from their troubles. He led them on a straight road to a city where they could live. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his love and for the miracles he does for people. He satisfies the thirsty and fills up the hungry. Some sat in gloom and darkness; they were prisoners suffering in chains. They had turned against the words of God and had refused the advice of God Most High. So he broke their pride by hard work. They stumbled, and no one helped. In their misery they cried out to the LORD, and he saved them from their troubles. He brought them out of their gloom and darkness and broke their chains. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his love and for the miracles he does for people. He breaks down bronze gates and cuts apart iron bars. Some fools turned against God and suffered for the evil they did. They refused to eat anything, so they almost died. In their misery they cried out to the LORD, and he saved them from their troubles. God gave the command and healed them, so they were saved from dying. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his love and for the miracles he does for people. Let them offer sacrifices to thank him. With joy they should tell what he has done. Others went out to sea in ships and did business on the great oceans. They saw what the LORD could do, the miracles he did in the deep oceans. He spoke, and a storm came up, which blew up high waves.

They were happy that it was quiet, and God guided them to the port they wanted. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his love and for the miracles he does for people. Let them praise his greatness in the meeting of the people; let them praise him in the meeting of the elders. He changed rivers into a desert and springs of water into dry ground. He made fertile land salty, because the people there did evil. He changed the desert into pools of water and dry ground into springs of water. He had the hungry settle there so they could build a city in which to live. They planted seeds in the fields and vineyards, and they had a good harvest. God blessed them, and they grew in number. Their cattle did not become fewer. Because of disaster, troubles, and sadness, their families grew smaller and weaker. He showed he was displeased with their leaders and made them wander in a pathless desert. But he lifted the poor out of their suffering and made their families grow like flocks of sheep. Good people see this and are happy, but the wicked say nothing. Whoever is wise will remember these things and will think about the love of the LORD.