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Chapter 107

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¹ "Give thanks to the LORD who is good, whose love endures forever!"

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Let that be the prayer of the LORD'S redeemed, those redeemed from the hand of the foe,

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Those gathered from foreign lands, from east and west, from north and south.

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Some had lost their way in a barren desert; found no path toward a city to live in.

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They were hungry and thirsty; their life was ebbing away.

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In their distress they cried to the LORD, who rescued them in their peril,

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Guided them by a direct path so they reached a city to live in.

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Let them thank the LORD for such kindness, such wondrous deeds for mere mortals.

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For he satisfied the thirsty, filled the hungry with good things.

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Some lived in darkness and gloom, in prison, bound with chains,

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Because they rebelled against God's word, scorned the counsel of the Most High,

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Who humbled their hearts through hardship; they stumbled with no one to help.

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In their distress they cried to the LORD, who saved them in their peril,

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Led them forth from darkness and gloom and broke their chains asunder.

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Let them thank the LORD for such kindness, such wondrous deeds for mere mortals.

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For he broke down the gates of bronze and snapped the bars of iron.

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Some fell sick from their wicked ways, afflicted because of their sins.

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They loathed all manner of food; they were at the gates of death.

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In their distress they cried to the LORD, who saved them in their peril,

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Sent forth the word to heal them, snatched them from the grave.

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Let them thank the LORD for such kindness, such wondrous deeds for mere mortals.

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Let them offer a sacrifice in thanks, declare his works with shouts of joy.

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Some went off to sea in ships, plied their trade on the deep waters.

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They saw the works of the LORD, the wonders of God in the deep.

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He spoke and roused a storm wind; it tossed the waves on high.

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They rose up to the heavens, sank to the depths; their hearts trembled at the danger.

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They reeled, staggered like drunkards; their skill was of no avail.

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In their distress they cried to the LORD, who brought them out of their peril,

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Hushed the storm to a murmur; the waves of the sea were stilled.

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They rejoiced that the sea grew calm, that God brought them to the harbor they longed for.

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Let them thank the LORD for such kindness, such wondrous deeds for mere mortals.

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Let them praise him in the assembly of the people, give thanks in the council of the elders.

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² God changed rivers into desert, springs of water into thirsty ground,

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Fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the wickedness of its people.

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He changed the desert into pools of water, arid land into springs of water,

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And settled the hungry there; they built a city to live in.

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They sowed fields and planted vineyards, brought in an abundant harvest.

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God blessed them, they became very many, and their livestock did not decrease.

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But he poured out contempt on princes, made them wander the trackless wastes,

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Where they were diminished and brought low through misery and cruel oppression,

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While the poor were released from their affliction; their families increased like their flocks.

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The upright saw this and rejoiced; all wickedness shut its mouth.

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Whoever is wise will take note of these things, will ponder the merciful deeds of the LORD.