IN PRAISE OF GOD’S GOODNESS

“Give thanks to the Lord because He is good;

His love is eternal!

Repeat these words in praise to the Lord

all you whom He has saved.

He has rescued you from your enemies

and has brought you back from foreign countries,

from east and west, from north and south.

Some wandered in the trackless desert

and could not find their way to a city to live in.

They were hungry and thirsty and had given up all hope.

Then in their trouble they called to the Lord,

and he saved them from their distress.

He led them by a straight road

to a city where they could live.

They must thank the Lord for His constant love

for the wonderful things He did for them,

He satisfies those who are thirsty

and fills the hungry with good things.

Some were living in gloom and darkness,

prisoners suffering in chains,

because they had rebelled against the

commands of Almighty God

and had rejected His instructions.

They were worn out from hard work;

they would fall down, and no one would help.

Then in their trouble they called to the Lord,

and He saved them from their distress.

He brought them out of their gloom and darkness

and broke their chains in pieces.

They must thank the Lord for His constant love,

for the wonderful things He did for them.

He breaks down doors of bronze

and smashes iron bars.

Some were fools suffering because of their sins

and because of their evil;

they couldn’t stand the sight of food

and were close to death.

Then in their trouble they called to the Lord,

and He saved them from their distress.

He healed them with His command

and saved them from the grave.

They must thank the Lord for His constant love,

for the wonderful things He did for them.

They must thank Him with sacrifices,

and with songs of joy must tell all that He has done.

(Psalms 107:1-22)