1O give thanks unto Jehovah ; for he is good ; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever . 2Let the redeemed of Jehovah say so , Whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the adversary , 3And gathered out of the lands, From the east and from the west , From the north and from the south . 4They wandered in the wilderness in a desert way ; They found no city of habitation . 5Hungry and thirsty , Their soul fainted in them . 6Then they cried unto Jehovah in their trouble , And he delivered them out of their distresses , 7He led them also by a straight way , That they might go to a city of habitation . 8Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness , And for his wonderful works to the children of men ! 9For he satisfieth the longing soul , And the hungry soul he filleth with good .
The Transformative Power of God
10Such as sat in darkness and in the shadow of death , Being bound in affliction and iron , 11Because they rebelled against the words of God, And contemned the counsel of the Most High : 12Therefore he brought down their heart with labor ; They fell down , and there was none to help . 13Then they cried unto Jehovah in their trouble , And he saved them out of their distresses . 14He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death , And brake their bonds in sunder . 15Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness , And for his wonderful works to the children of men ! 16For he hath broken the gates of brass , And cut the bars of iron in sunder .
God's Sovereignty Over Nature
17Fools because of their transgression , And because of their iniquities , are afflicted . 18Their soul abhorreth all manner of food; And they draw near unto the gates of death . 19Then they cry unto Jehovah in their trouble , And he saveth them out of their distresses . 20He sendeth his word , and healeth them , And delivereth them from their destructions . 21Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness , And for his wonderful works to the children of men ! 22And let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving , And declare his works with singing . 23They that go down to the sea in ships, That do business in great waters ; 24These see the works of Jehovah , And his wonders in the deep . 25For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind , Which lifteth up the waves thereof . 26They mount up to the heavens , they go down again to the depths : Their soul melteth away because of trouble . 27They reel to and fro , and stagger like a drunken man , And are at their wits’ end . 28Then they cry unto Jehovah in their trouble , And he bringeth them out of their distresses . 29He maketh the storm a calm , So that the waves thereof are still . 30Then are they glad because they are quiet ; So he bringeth them unto their desired haven . 31Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness , And for his wonderful works to the children of men ! 32Let them exalt him also in the assembly of the people , And praise him in the seat of the elders .
The Call to Reflect on God's Works
33He turneth rivers into a wilderness , And watersprings into a thirsty ground ; 34A fruitful land into a salt desert, For the wickedness of them that dwell therein . 35He turneth a wilderness into a pool of water , And a dry land into watersprings . 36And there he maketh the hungry to dwell , That they may prepare a city of habitation , 37And sow fields , and plant vineyards , And get them fruits of increase . 38He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly ; And he suffereth not their cattle to decrease . 39Again, they are diminished and bowed down Through oppression , trouble , and sorrow . 40He poureth contempt upon princes , And causeth them to wander in the waste , where there is no way . 41Yet setteth he the needy on high from affliction , And maketh him families like a flock . 42The upright shall see it , and be glad ; And all iniquity shall stop her mouth . 43Whoso is wise will give heed to these things; And they will consider the lovingkindnesses of Jehovah .