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Book Five

The Lord Rescues People from Many Troubles.

107 O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His compassion and lovingkindness endure forever!

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary,

And gathered them from the lands,
From the east and from the west,
From the north and from the [a]south.


They wandered in the wilderness in a [solitary] desert region;
And did not find a way to an inhabited city.

Hungry and thirsty,
They fainted.

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He rescued them from their distresses.

He led them by the straight way,
To an inhabited city [where they could establish their homes].

Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness,
And for His wonderful acts to the children of men!

For He satisfies the parched throat,
And fills the hungry appetite with what is good.

10 
Some dwelt in darkness and in the deep (deathly) darkness,
Prisoners [bound] in misery and chains,(A)
11 
Because they had rebelled against the precepts of God
And spurned the counsel of the Most High.
12 
Therefore He humbled their heart with hard labor;
They stumbled and there was no one to help.
13 
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He saved them from their distresses.
14 
He brought them out of darkness and the deep (deathly) darkness
And broke their bonds apart.(B)
15 
Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness,
And for His wonderful acts to the children of men!
16 
For He has shattered the gates of bronze
And cut the bars of iron apart.

17 
Fools, because of their rebellious way,
And because of their sins, were afflicted.
18 
They detested all kinds of food,
And they drew near to the gates of death.
19 
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He saved them from their distresses.
20 
He sent His word and healed them,
And rescued them from their destruction.(C)
21 
Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness,
And for His wonderful acts to the children of men!(D)
22 
And let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving,
And speak of His deeds with shouts of joy!

23 
Those who go down to the sea in ships,
Who do business on great waters;
24 
They have seen the works of the Lord,
And His wonders in the deep.
25 
For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind,
Which lifted up the waves of the sea.
26 
They went up toward the heavens [on the crest of the wave], they went down again to the depths [of the watery trough];
Their courage melted away in their misery.
27 
They staggered and trembled like a drunken man,
And were at their wits’ end [all their wisdom was useless].
28 
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
And He brought them out of their distresses.
29 
He hushed the storm to a gentle whisper,
So that the waves of the sea were still.(E)
30 
Then they were glad because of the calm,
And He guided them to their desired haven (harbor).
31 
Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness,
And for His wonderful acts to the children of men!
32 
Let them exalt Him also in the congregation of the people,
And praise Him at the seat of the elders.

33 
He turns rivers into a wilderness,
And springs of water into a thirsty ground;(F)
34 
A productive land into a [barren] salt waste,
Because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it.(G)
35 
He turns a wilderness into a pool of water
And a dry land into springs of water;(H)
36 
And there He has the hungry dwell,
So that they may establish an inhabited city,
37 
And sow fields and plant vineyards,
And produce an abundant harvest.
38 
Also He blesses them so that they multiply greatly,
And He does not let [the number of] their cattle decrease.

39 
When they are diminished and bowed down (humbled)
Through oppression, misery, and sorrow,
40 
He pours contempt on princes
And makes them wander in a pathless wasteland.
41 
Yet He sets the needy securely on high, away from affliction,
And makes their families like a flock.
42 
The upright see it and rejoice;
But all unrighteousness shuts its mouth.
43 
Who is wise? Let him observe and heed these things;
And [thoughtfully] consider the lovingkindness of the Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 107:3 Lit sea.

BOOK V
(Psalms 107–150)

Psalm 107

Thanksgiving for God’s Deliverance

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
His faithful love endures forever.(A)
Let the redeemed of the Lord proclaim
that He has redeemed them from the hand of the foe(B)
and has gathered them from the lands—
from the east and the west,
from the north and the south.(C)

Some[a] wandered in the desolate wilderness,
finding no way to a city where they could live.(D)
They were hungry and thirsty;
their spirits failed[b] within them.(E)
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble;
He rescued them from their distress.(F)
He led them by the right path
to go to a city where they could live.(G)
Let them give thanks to the Lord
for His faithful love
and His wonderful works for all humanity.(H)
For He has satisfied the thirsty
and filled the hungry with good things.(I)

10 Others[c] sat in darkness and gloom[d]
prisoners in cruel chains(J)
11 because they rebelled against God’s commands
and despised the counsel of the Most High.(K)
12 He broke their spirits[e] with hard labor;
they stumbled, and there was no one to help.(L)
13 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble;
He saved them from their distress.(M)
14 He brought them out of darkness and gloom[f]
and broke their chains apart.(N)
15 Let them give thanks to the Lord
for His faithful love
and His wonderful works for all humanity.(O)
16 For He has broken down the bronze gates
and cut through the iron bars.(P)

17 Fools suffered affliction
because of their rebellious ways and their sins.(Q)
18 They loathed all food
and came near the gates of death.(R)
19 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble;
He saved them from their distress.(S)
20 He sent His word and healed them;
He rescued them from the Pit.(T)
21 Let them give thanks to the Lord
for His faithful love
and His wonderful works for all humanity.(U)
22 Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving
and announce His works with shouts of joy.(V)

23 Others[g] went to sea in ships,
conducting trade on the vast waters.(W)
24 They saw the Lord’s works,
His wonderful works in the deep.(X)
25 He spoke and raised a tempest
that stirred up the waves of the sea.[h](Y)
26 Rising up to the sky, sinking down to the depths,
their courage[i] melting away in anguish,(Z)
27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men,
and all their skill was useless.(AA)
28 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and He brought them out of their distress.(AB)
29 He stilled the storm to a murmur,
and the waves of the sea[j] were hushed.(AC)
30 They rejoiced when the waves[k] grew quiet.
Then He guided them to the harbor they longed for.(AD)
31 Let them give thanks to the Lord
for His faithful love
and His wonderful works for all humanity.(AE)
32 Let them exalt Him in the assembly of the people
and praise Him in the council of the elders.(AF)

33 He turns rivers into desert,
springs of water into thirsty ground,(AG)
34 and fruitful land into salty wasteland,
because of the wickedness of its inhabitants.(AH)
35 He turns a desert into a pool of water,
dry land into springs of water.(AI)
36 He causes the hungry to settle there,
and they establish a city where they can live.(AJ)
37 They sow fields and plant vineyards
that yield a fruitful harvest.(AK)
38 He blesses them, and they multiply greatly;(AL)
He does not let their livestock decrease.(AM)

39 When they are diminished and are humbled
by cruel oppression and sorrow,(AN)
40 He pours contempt on nobles(AO)
and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.(AP)
41 But He lifts the needy out of their suffering(AQ)
and makes their families multiply like flocks.(AR)
42 The upright see it and rejoice,(AS)
and all injustice shuts its mouth.(AT)

43 Let whoever is wise pay attention to these things
and consider[l] the Lord’s acts of faithful love.(AU)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 107:4 Lit They
  2. Psalm 107:5 Lit their soul fainted
  3. Psalm 107:10 Lit They
  4. Psalm 107:10 Or the shadow of death
  5. Psalm 107:12 Lit hearts
  6. Psalm 107:14 Or the shadow of death
  7. Psalm 107:23 Lit They
  8. Psalm 107:25 Lit of it
  9. Psalm 107:26 Lit souls
  10. Psalm 107:29 Lit of them
  11. Psalm 107:30 Lit when they
  12. Psalm 107:43 Lit and let them consider

Book Five

Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So

107 (A)Oh give thanks to the Lord, (B)for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever!
Let (C)the redeemed of the Lord say so,
    whom he has (D)redeemed from trouble[a]
and (E)gathered in from the lands,
    from the east and from the west,
    from the north and from the south.

Some (F)wandered in desert wastes,
    finding no way (G)to a city to dwell in;
hungry and thirsty,
    their soul (H)fainted within them.
Then they (I)cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
He led them by (J)a straight way
    till they reached (K)a city to dwell in.
(L)Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
    for his wondrous works to the children of man!
For he (M)satisfies the longing soul,
    (N)and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

10 (O)Some sat in darkness and in (P)the shadow of death,
    prisoners in (Q)affliction and in irons,
11 for they (R)had rebelled against the words of God,
    and (S)spurned the counsel of the Most High.
12 So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor;
    they fell down, (T)with none to help.
13 (U)Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of (V)darkness and the shadow of death,
    and (W)burst their bonds apart.
15 (X)Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
    for his wondrous works to the children of man!
16 For he (Y)shatters the doors of bronze
    and cuts in two the bars of iron.

17 Some were (Z)fools through their sinful ways,
    and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;
18 (AA)they loathed any kind of food,
    and they (AB)drew near to (AC)the gates of death.
19 (AD)Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
20 He (AE)sent out his word and (AF)healed them,
    and (AG)delivered them from their destruction.
21 (AH)Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
    for his wondrous works to the children of man!
22 And let them (AI)offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,
    and (AJ)tell of his deeds in (AK)songs of joy!

23 Some (AL)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 (AM)commanded and (AN)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 (AO)melted away in their evil plight;
27 they reeled and (AP)staggered like drunken men
    and (AQ)were at their wits' end.[b]
28 (AR)Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
29 He (AS)made the storm be still,
    and the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 Then they were glad that the waters[c] were quiet,
    and he brought them to their desired haven.
31 (AT)Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
    for his wondrous works to the children of man!
32 Let them (AU)extol him in (AV)the congregation of the people,
    and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

33 He (AW)turns rivers into a desert,
    springs of water into thirsty ground,
34 (AX)a fruitful land into a salty waste,
    because of the evil of its inhabitants.
35 He (AY)turns a desert into pools of water,
    (AZ)a parched land into springs of water.
36 And there he lets the hungry dwell,
    and they establish (BA)a city to live in;
37 they sow fields and plant vineyards
    and get a fruitful yield.
38 (BB)By his blessing they multiply greatly,
    and he does not let their livestock diminish.

39 When they are diminished and brought low
    through oppression, evil, and sorrow,
40 (BC)he pours contempt on princes
    and (BD)makes them wander (BE)in trackless wastes;
41 but (BF)he raises up the needy out of affliction
    and (BG)makes their families like flocks.
42 (BH)The upright see it and are glad,
    and (BI)all wickedness shuts its mouth.

43 (BJ)Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;
    let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 107:2 Or from the hand of the foe
  2. Psalm 107:27 Hebrew and all their wisdom was swallowed up
  3. Psalm 107:30 Hebrew they

107 1-3 Oh, thank God—he’s so good!
    His love never runs out.
All of you set free by God, tell the world!
    Tell how he freed you from oppression,
Then rounded you up from all over the place,
    from the four winds, from the seven seas.

4-9 Some of you wandered for years in the desert,
    looking but not finding a good place to live,
Half-starved and parched with thirst,
    staggering and stumbling, on the brink of exhaustion.
Then, in your desperate condition, you called out to God.
    He got you out in the nick of time;
He put your feet on a wonderful road
    that took you straight to a good place to live.
So thank God for his marvelous love,
    for his miracle mercy to the children he loves.
He poured great drafts of water down parched throats;
    the starved and hungry got plenty to eat.

10-16 Some of you were locked in a dark cell,
    cruelly confined behind bars,
Punished for defying God’s Word,
    for turning your back on the High God’s counsel—
A hard sentence, and your hearts so heavy,
    and not a soul in sight to help.
Then you called out to God in your desperate condition;
    he got you out in the nick of time.
He led you out of your dark, dark cell,
    broke open the jail and led you out.
So thank God for his marvelous love,
    for his miracle mercy to the children he loves;
He shattered the heavy jailhouse doors,
    he snapped the prison bars like matchsticks!

17-22 Some of you were sick because you’d lived a bad life,
    your bodies feeling the effects of your sin;
You couldn’t stand the sight of food,
    so miserable you thought you’d be better off dead.
Then you called out to God in your desperate condition;
    he got you out in the nick of time.
He spoke the word that healed you,
    that pulled you back from the brink of death.
So thank God for his marvelous love,
    for his miracle mercy to the children he loves;
Offer thanksgiving sacrifices,
    tell the world what he’s done—sing it out!

23-32 Some of you set sail in big ships;
    you put to sea to do business in faraway ports.
Out at sea you saw God in action,
    saw his breathtaking ways with the ocean:
With a word he called up the wind—
    an ocean storm, towering waves!
You shot high in the sky, then the bottom dropped out;
    your hearts were stuck in your throats.
You were spun like a top, you reeled like a drunk,
    you didn’t know which end was up.
Then you called out to God in your desperate condition;
    he got you out in the nick of time.
He quieted the wind down to a whisper,
    put a muzzle on all the big waves.
And you were so glad when the storm died down,
    and he led you safely back to harbor.
So thank God for his marvelous love,
    for his miracle mercy to the children he loves.
Lift high your praises when the people assemble,
    shout Hallelujah when the elders meet!

33-41 God turned rivers into wasteland,
    springs of water into sunbaked mud;
Luscious orchards became alkali flats
    because of the evil of the people who lived there.
Then he changed wasteland into fresh pools of water,
    arid earth into springs of water,
Brought in the hungry and settled them there;
    they moved in—what a great place to live!
They sowed the fields, they planted vineyards,
    they reaped a bountiful harvest.
He blessed them and they prospered greatly;
    their herds of cattle never decreased.
But abuse and evil and trouble declined
    as he heaped scorn on princes and sent them away.
He gave the poor a safe place to live,
    treated their clans like well-cared-for sheep.

42-43 Good people see this and are glad;
    bad people are speechless, stopped in their tracks.
If you are really wise, you’ll think this over—
    it’s time you appreciated God’s deep love.

Book five (Psalms 107–150)

Psalm 107

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
    His faithful love endures forever.
Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out!
    Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.
For he has gathered the exiles from many lands,
    from east and west,
    from north and south.[a]

Some wandered in the wilderness,
    lost and homeless.
Hungry and thirsty,
    they nearly died.
Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble,
    and he rescued them from their distress.
He led them straight to safety,
    to a city where they could live.
Let them praise the Lord for his great love
    and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
For he satisfies the thirsty
    and fills the hungry with good things.

10 Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom,
    imprisoned in iron chains of misery.
11 They rebelled against the words of God,
    scorning the counsel of the Most High.
12 That is why he broke them with hard labor;
    they fell, and no one was there to help them.
13 Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble,
    and he saved them from their distress.
14 He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom;
    he snapped their chains.
15 Let them praise the Lord for his great love
    and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
16 For he broke down their prison gates of bronze;
    he cut apart their bars of iron.

17 Some were fools; they rebelled
    and suffered for their sins.
18 They couldn’t stand the thought of food,
    and they were knocking on death’s door.
19 Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble,
    and he saved them from their distress.
20 He sent out his word and healed them,
    snatching them from the door of death.
21 Let them praise the Lord for his great love
    and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
22 Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving
    and sing joyfully about his glorious acts.

23 Some went off to sea in ships,
    plying the trade routes of the world.
24 They, too, observed the Lord’s power in action,
    his impressive works on the deepest seas.
25 He spoke, and the winds rose,
    stirring up the waves.
26 Their ships were tossed to the heavens
    and plunged again to the depths;
    the sailors cringed in terror.
27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards
    and were at their wits’ end.
28 Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble,
    and he saved them from their distress.
29 He calmed the storm to a whisper
    and stilled the waves.
30 What a blessing was that stillness
    as he brought them safely into harbor!
31 Let them praise the Lord for his great love
    and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
32 Let them exalt him publicly before the congregation
    and before the leaders of the nation.

33 He changes rivers into deserts,
    and springs of water into dry, thirsty land.
34 He turns the fruitful land into salty wastelands,
    because of the wickedness of those who live there.
35 But he also turns deserts into pools of water,
    the dry land into springs of water.
36 He brings the hungry to settle there
    and to build their cities.
37 They sow their fields, plant their vineyards,
    and harvest their bumper crops.
38 How he blesses them!
    They raise large families there,
    and their herds of livestock increase.

39 When they decrease in number and become impoverished
    through oppression, trouble, and sorrow,
40 the Lord pours contempt on their princes,
    causing them to wander in trackless wastelands.
41 But he rescues the poor from trouble
    and increases their families like flocks of sheep.
42 The godly will see these things and be glad,
    while the wicked are struck silent.
43 Those who are wise will take all this to heart;
    they will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord.

Footnotes

  1. 107:3 Hebrew and sea.