^1Praise God, for he is good: for still

his mercies lasting be.

^2Let God's redeem'd say so, whom he

from th' en'my's hand did free;

^3And gather'd them out of the lands,

from north, south, east, and west.

^4They stray'd in desert's pathless way,

no city found to rest.

^5For thirst and hunger in them faints

^6their soul. When straits them press,

They cry unto the Lord, and he

them frees from their distress.

^7Them also in a way to walk

that right is he did guide,

That they might to a city go,

wherein they might abide.

^8O that men to the Lord would give

praise for his goodness then,

And for his works of wonder done

unto the sons of men!

^9For he the soul that longing is

doth fully satisfy;

With goodness he the hungry soul

doth fill abundantly.

^10Such as shut up in darkness deep,

and in death's shade abide,

Whom strongly hath affliction bound,

and irons fast have ty'd:

^11Because against the words of God

they wrought rebelliously,

And they the counsel did contemn

of him that is most High:

^12Their heart he did bring down with grief,

they fell, no help could have.

^13In trouble then they cry'd to God,

he them from straits did save.

^14He out of darkness did them bring,

and from death's shade them take;

These bands, wherewith they had been bound,

asunder quite he brake.

^15O that men to the Lord would give

praise for his goodness then,

And for his works of wonder done

unto the sons of men!

^16Because the mighty gates of brass

in pieces he did tear,

By him in sunder also cut

the bars of iron were.

^17Fools, for their sin, and their offence,

do sore affliction bear;

^18All kind of meat their soul abhors;

they to death's gates draw near.

^19In grief they cry to God; he saves

them from their miseries.

^20He sends his word, them heals, and them

from their destructions frees.

^21O that men to the Lord would give

praise for his goodness then,

And for his works of wonder done

unto the sons of men!

^22And let them sacrifice to him

off rings of thankfulness;

And let them shew abroad his works

in songs of joyfulness.

^23Who go to sea in ships, and in

great waters trading be,

^24Within the deep these men God's works

and his great wonders see.

^25For he commands, and forth in haste

the stormy tempest flies,

Which makes the sea with rolling waves

aloft to swell and rise.

^26They mount to heav'n, then to the depths

they do go down again;

Their soul doth faint and melt away

with trouble and with pain.

^27They reel and stagger like one drunk,

at their wit's end they be:

^28Then they to God in trouble cry,

who them from straits doth free.

^29The storm is chang'd into a calm

at his command and will;

So that the waves, which rag'd before,

now quiet are and still.

^30Then are they glad, because at rest

and quiet now they be:

So to the haven he them brings,

which they desir'd to see.

^31O that men to the Lord would give

praise for his goodness then,

And for his works of wonder done

unto the sons of men!

^32Among the people gathered

let them exalt his name;

Among assembled elders spread

his most renowned fame.

^33He to dry land turns water-springs,

and floods to wilderness;

^34For sins of those that dwell therein,

fat land to barrenness.

^35The burnt and parched wilderness

to water-pools he brings;

The ground that was dry'd up before

he turns to water-springs:

^36And there, for dwelling, he a place

doth to the hungry give,

That they a city may prepare

commodiously to live.

^37There sow they fields, and vineyards plant,

to yield fruits of increase.

^38His blessing makes them multiply,

lets not their beasts decrease.

^39Again they are diminished,

and very low brought down,

Through sorrow and affliction,

and great oppression.

^40He upon princes pours contempt,

and causeth them to stray,

And wander in a wilderness,

wherein there is no way.

^41Yet setteth he the poor on high

from all his miseries,

And he, much like unto a flock,

doth make him families.

^42They that are righteous shall rejoice,

when they the same shall see;

And, as ashamed, stop her mouth

shall all iniquity.

^43Whoso is wise, and will these things

observe, and them record,

Ev'n they shall understand the love

and kindness of the Lord.