(Psalm 107:23-43)
Some sailed over the ocean in ships,
earning their living on the seas.
They saw what the Lord can do,
his wonderful acts on the seas.
He commanded, and a mighty wind began to blow
and stirred up the waves.
The ships were lifted high in the air
and plunged down into the depths.
In such danger the men lost their courage;
they stumbled and staggered like drunks--
all their skill was useless.
Then in their trouble they called their distress.
He calmed the raging storm,
and waves became quiet.
They were glad because of the calm,
and he brought them safe to the port they wanted
They must thank the Lord for his constant love,
for the wonderful things he did for them.
They must proclaim his greatness in the assembly
of the people
and praise him before the council of the leaders.
The Lord made rivers dry up completely
and stopped springs from flowing.
He made rich soil become salty wasteland
because of the wickedness of those who lived there.
He changed deserts into pools of water
and dry land into flowing springs.
He let hungry people settle there,
and they built a city to live in.
They sowed the field and planted grapevines
and reaped an abundant harvest.
He blessed his people, and they had many children;
he kept their herds of cattle from decreasing.
When God's people were defeated and humiliated
by cruel oppression and suffering,
he showed contempt for their oppressors
and made them wander in trackless deserts.
But he rescued the needy from their misery
and made their families increase like flocks.
The righteous see this and are glad,
but all the wicked are put to silence.
May those who are wise think about these things;
may they consider the Lord's constant love.
Some sailed over the ocean in ships,
earning their living on the seas.
They saw what the Lord can do,
his wonderful acts on the seas.
He commanded, and a mighty wind began to blow
and stirred up the waves.
The ships were lifted high in the air
and plunged down into the depths.
In such danger the men lost their courage;
they stumbled and staggered like drunks--
all their skill was useless.
Then in their trouble they called their distress.
He calmed the raging storm,
and waves became quiet.
They were glad because of the calm,
and he brought them safe to the port they wanted
They must thank the Lord for his constant love,
for the wonderful things he did for them.
They must proclaim his greatness in the assembly
of the people
and praise him before the council of the leaders.
The Lord made rivers dry up completely
and stopped springs from flowing.
He made rich soil become salty wasteland
because of the wickedness of those who lived there.
He changed deserts into pools of water
and dry land into flowing springs.
He let hungry people settle there,
and they built a city to live in.
They sowed the field and planted grapevines
and reaped an abundant harvest.
He blessed his people, and they had many children;
he kept their herds of cattle from decreasing.
When God's people were defeated and humiliated
by cruel oppression and suffering,
he showed contempt for their oppressors
and made them wander in trackless deserts.
But he rescued the needy from their misery
and made their families increase like flocks.
The righteous see this and are glad,
but all the wicked are put to silence.
May those who are wise think about these things;
may they consider the Lord's constant love.
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