Psalms 107:17-42

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. The ships were tossed as high as the sky and fell low to the depths. The storm was so bad that they lost their courage. They stumbled and fell like people who were drunk. They did not know what to do. In their misery they cried out to the LORD, and he saved them from their troubles. He stilled the storm and calmed the 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.