1Thank the Lord, for he is good! His trustworthy love continues forever!

2Let those the Lord has saved say that they are saved; those he has rescued from the power of the enemy.

3He has gathered them together from distant lands, from the east and the west, the north and the south. ³⁷⁴

4They wandered in the desert wilderness, unable to find a way to a city where they could live.

5Hungry and thirsty, they became very discouraged.

6Then they cried out to the Lord to help them in their troubles, and he saved them from their suffering.

7He led them along a straight way to a city where they could live.

8Let them praise the Lord for his trustworthy love, and for all the wonderful things he does for people.

9For he gives drink to those who are thirsty, and food to those who are hungry.

10Some sat in complete darkness, prisoners of misery and bound with iron chains,

11for they had rebelled against what God had said; they had rejected the guidance of the Most High.

12So he humbled their pride with the troubles of life; they tripped over and no one was there to stop them falling.

13Then they called out to the Lord for help in their troubles, and he saved them from their suffering.

14He brought them out of complete darkness, he broke their chains to pieces.

15Let them praise the Lord for his trustworthy love, and for all the wonderful things he does for people.

16For he breaks down the bronze doors, and cuts through the iron bars. ³⁷⁵

17They were stupid because they rebelled; they suffered for their sins.

18They didn't want to eat; they were at death's door.

19Then they called out to the Lord for help in their troubles, and he saved them from their suffering.

20He gave the command and he healed them; he saved them from the grave.

21Let them praise the Lord for his trustworthy love, and for all the wonderful things he does for people.

22Let them present thank offerings and sing with joy about what he has done.

23Those who set sail in ships, crossing the seas to earn their living,

24they have seen the Lord's incredible power at work—the wonderful things he did in the deepest oceans.

25He only had to speak to cause a stormy wind that stirred up towering waves,

26lifting the ships high in the air and then plunging them down. The sailors were so terrified that their courage melted away.

27They staggered around, falling from side to side like drunks—all their seamanship skills were useless.

28Then they cried out to the Lord to help them in their troubles, and he saved them from their suffering.

29He calmed the storm, the waves were quiet.

30The sailors were so happy when it all calmed down, and he brought them to the harbor they wanted.

31Let them praise the Lord for his trustworthy love, and for all the wonderful things he does for people.

32Let them say how wonderful he is in front of the whole congregation and the elders.

33He dries up rivers and turns the land into a desert; the water springs stop flowing and the earth turns dry and dusty.

34Fruitful ground becomes a salty wasteland because of the wickedness of those living there.

35But he also turns around and makes pools of water in the desert, and makes water springs flow in a dry and dusty land.

36He brings hungry people to live there—a place they can build their cities.

37They sow their fields and plant their vineyards, producing a good harvest.

38He takes care of them, and their numbers increase dramatically—their cattle too!

39When they become few, brought low by oppression, misery, and sorrow,

40He pours out his contempt on their leaders, making them wander, lost in the wilderness.

41But he lifts the poor out of their troubles, and makes their families as big as flocks.

42Those who live right will observe what is happening and be glad, but the wicked will be silenced.

43Those who are wise will pay attention to all this, and thoughtfully reflect on the Lord's trustworthy love.