Study Desk

BOOK V

Psalms 107–150

Give thanks to the Lord ,^(a) for he is good;^(b) his love endures forever.

Let the redeemed^(c) of the Lord tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,

those he gathered^(d) from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.^[a]

Some wandered in desert^(e) wastelands, finding no way to a city^(f) where they could settle.

They were hungry^(g) and thirsty,^(h) and their lives ebbed away.

Then they cried out⁽ⁱ⁾ to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

He led them by a straight way^(j) to a city^(k) where they could settle.

Let them give thanks^(l) to the Lord for his unfailing love^(m) and his wonderful deeds⁽ⁿ⁾ for mankind,

for he satisfies^(o) the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.^(p)

Some sat in darkness,^(q) in utter darkness, prisoners suffering^(r) in iron chains,^(s)

because they rebelled^(t) against God's commands and despised^(u) the plans^(v) of the Most High.

So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help.^(w)

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them^(x) from their distress.

He brought them out of darkness,^(y) the utter darkness,^(z) and broke away their chains.^(aa)

Let them give thanks^(ab) to the Lord for his unfailing love^(ac) and his wonderful deeds^(ad) for mankind,

for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.

Some became fools^(ae) through their rebellious ways^(af) and suffered affliction^(ag) because of their iniquities.

They loathed all food^(ah) and drew near the gates of death.^(ai)

Then they cried^(aj) to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them^(ak) from their distress.

He sent out his word^(al) and healed them;^(am) he rescued^(an) them from the grave.^(ao)

Let them give thanks^(ap) to the Lord for his unfailing love^(aq) and his wonderful deeds^(ar) for mankind.

Let them sacrifice thank offerings^(as) and tell of his works^(at) with songs of joy.^(au)

Some went out on the sea^(av) in ships;^(aw) they were merchants on the mighty waters.

They saw the works of the Lord ,^(ax) his wonderful deeds in the deep.

For he spoke^(ay) and stirred up a tempest^(az) that lifted high the waves.^(ba)

They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril^(bb) their courage melted^(bc) away.

They reeled^(bd) and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits' end.

Then they cried^(be) out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.^(bf)

He stilled the storm^(bg) to a whisper; the waves^(bh) of the sea^[b] were hushed.^(bi)

They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them^(bj) to their desired haven.

Let them give thanks^(bk) to the Lord for his unfailing love^(bl) and his wonderful deeds^(bm) for mankind.

Let them exalt^(bn) him in the assembly^(bo) of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.

He turned rivers into a desert,^(bp) flowing springs^(bq) into thirsty ground,

and fruitful land into a salt waste,^(br) because of the wickedness of those who lived there.

He turned the desert into pools of water^(bs) and the parched ground into flowing springs;^(bt)

there he brought the hungry to live, and they founded a city where they could settle.

They sowed fields and planted vineyards^(bu) that yielded a fruitful harvest;

he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased,^(bv) and he did not let their herds diminish.^(bw)

Then their numbers decreased,^(bx) and they were humbled^(by) by oppression, calamity and sorrow;

he who pours contempt on nobles^(bz) made them wander in a trackless waste.^(ca)

But he lifted the needy^(cb) out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks.^(cc)

The upright see and rejoice,^(cd) but all the wicked shut their mouths.^(ce)

Let the one who is wise^(cf) heed these things and ponder the loving deeds^(cg) of the Lord .

A song of ascents.

When the Lord restored^(a) the fortunes of^[a] Zion, we were like those who dreamed.^[b]

Our mouths were filled with laughter,^(b) our tongues with songs of joy.^(c) Then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things^(d) for them."

The Lord has done great things^(e) for us, and we are filled with joy.^(f)

Restore our fortunes,^[c](g) Lord , like streams in the Negev.^(h)

Those who sow with tears⁽ⁱ⁾ will reap^(j) with songs of joy.^(k)

Those who go out weeping,^(l) carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.