107 Give thanks to Yahweh, because he’s good,

and his loyal commitment endures forever.

2 Let the people who’ve been redeemed by Yahweh speak out—

those he’s rescued from the enemy’s control.

3 He has gathered them back from foreign lands,

from the east and from the west,

≈ from the north and from the south.

4 They wandered through the wilderness on a desert road

and found no city that they could settle in.

5 They were hungry and thirsty—

≈ fading away from exhaustion.

6 Then they called out to Yahweh in their time of trouble,

→ and he rescued them out of their distress.

7 He led them by a direct path

so that they could go to a city to live in.

8 Oh that people would praise Yahweh for his loyal commitment

and for the amazing things he’s done for humanity,

9 because he satisfies the longings of those who thirst,

and the desires of those who hunger, he fills up with good things.

10 Some sat in darkness and in gloom—

prisoners chained up and experiencing suffering.

11 This was because they had rebelled against God’s messages

and rejected the highest one’s instructions.

12 He used hardships to humble them.

They stumbled and there wasn’t anyone to help them up.

13 Then they called out to Yahweh in their time of trouble,

and he rescued them out of their distress.

14 He broke off their chains

≈ and brought them out of darkness and gloom.

15 Oh that people would praise Yahweh for his loyal commitment

≈ and for the amazing things he’s done for humanity,

16 because he’s broken the bronze gates

≈ and cut through the iron bars.

17 They were foolish in their rebellious ways

and made to suffer because of their sins.

18 They lost their desire to eat any food,

and they came close to death’s gates.

19 Then they called out to Yahweh in their time of trouble,

and he rescued them out of their distress.

20 He sent his message and healed them,

and he rescued them from their destruction.

21 Oh that people would praise Yahweh for his loyal commitment

and for the amazing things he’s done for humanity.

22 Let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices

and write songs about what he’s done.

23 Some travel across the ocean in ships

and do business overseas.

24 Those people saw Yahweh’s activities

and his miracles on the oceans,

25 because he spoke out his command

and aroused the windstorm that stirred up the waves.

26 Their ships reached up to the sky,

then they sank down into the troughs.

Their courage melted away in anguish.

27 They swayed and staggered like drunkards

and had run out of sensible ideas.

28 Then they called out to Yahweh in their time of trouble,

and he rescued them out of their distress.

29 He calmed the storm,

≈ and the waves were stilled.

30 Then they celebrated because it had quietened down,

so he brought them to their desired harbour.

31 Oh that people would praise Yahweh for his loyal commitment

and for the amazing things that he’s done for humanity.

32 Let them speak about his goodness to the people’s assembly

and praise him at the council of the elders.

33 He turns rivers into wilderness,

≈ and springs of water into dry land,

34 and a prosperous land into a barren place

because of the wickedness of those who live there.

35 He turns the wilderness into a pool

and dry land into springs of water.

36 He settles the hungry there,

and they build a city to live in.

37 They sow fields and plant vineyards,

so that they can bring in a profitable harvest.

38 He blesses them so they are very numerous.

He doesn’t let their cattle decrease in number.

39 They became less in number and status

through painful distress and suffering.

40 He pours contempt on the leaders

and makes them wander in the wilderness where there’s no roads,

41 but he protects the needy from affliction

and cares for his families like a shepherd with his flock.

42 The godly people will see that and celebrate,

and all wicked people will be shamed into silence.

43 Anyone who’s wise should take note of those things

and meditate about Yahweh’s acts of loyal commitment.