Let the redeemed of the LORD say so. The psalm describes four groups who cried out to the LORD in trouble: wanderers, prisoners, the sick and sailors in a storm. In each case he delivered them. O that men would praise the LORD for his goodness.
1 O give thanks unto the LORD , for he is good : for his mercy endureth for ever .
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy ;
3 And gathered them out of the lands , from the east , and from the west , from the north , and from the south .
4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way ; they found no city to dwell in.
5 Hungry and thirsty , their soul fainted in them.
6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble , and he delivered them out of their distresses .
7 And he led them forth by the right way , that they might go to a city of habitation .
8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness , and for his wonderful works to the children of men !
9 For he satisfieth the longing soul , and filleth the hungry soul with goodness .
10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death , being bound in affliction and iron ;
11 Because they rebelled against the words of God , and contemned the counsel of the most High :
12 Therefore he brought down their heart with labour ; they fell down , and there was none to help .
13 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble , and he saved them out of their distresses .
14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death , and brake their bands in sunder .
15 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness , and for his wonderful works to the children of men !
16 For he hath broken the gates of brass , and cut the bars of iron in sunder .
17 Fools because of their transgression , and because of their iniquities , are afflicted .
18 Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat ; and they draw near unto the gates of death .
19 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble , and he saveth them out of their distresses .
20 He sent his word , and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions .
21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness , and for his wonderful works to the children of men !
22 And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving , and declare his works with rejoicing .
23 They that go down to the sea in ships , that do business in great waters ;
24 These see the works of the LORD , and his wonders in the deep .
25 For he commandeth , and raiseth the stormy wind , which lifteth up the waves thereof.
26 They mount up to the heaven , they go down again to the depths : their soul is melted because of trouble .
27 They reel to and fro , and stagger like a drunken man , and are at their wits ' end .
28 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble , and he bringeth them out of their distresses .
29 He maketh the storm a calm , so that the waves thereof are still .
30 Then are they glad because they be quiet ; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven .
31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness , and for his wonderful works to the children of men !
32 Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people , and praise him in the assembly of the elders .
33 He turneth rivers into a wilderness , and the watersprings into dry ground ;
34 A fruitful land into barrenness , for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
35 He turneth the wilderness into a standing water , and dry ground into watersprings .
36 And there he maketh the hungry to dwell , that they may prepare a city for habitation ;
37 And sow the fields , and plant vineyards , which may yield fruits of increase .
38 He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly ; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease .
39 Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression , affliction , and sorrow .
40 He poureth contempt upon princes , and causeth them to wander in the wilderness , where there is no way .
41 Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction , and maketh him families like a flock .
42 The righteous shall see it, and rejoice : and all iniquity shall stop her mouth .
43 Whoso is wise , and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD .