10 months ago

Psalm 107 v1-8 of 43
"O thank the LORD, for he is good; his love endures always."
Falkirk Free Church
Lectures in the Faith
The directions in the Hebrew are, in order, east, west, north and south (or sea). The Sing Psalms keeps this order.
images: Bible drawings by Otto Semler and others, many based on the engravings by Carolsfeld, all in the public domain.
The images are only intended to provide resonances with some aspects of the psalm; they are not intended as one-to-one correspondences.

PSALM 107 D.C.M.

1 O thank the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures always.
2 Let those whom God redeemed say this,
those rescued by his grace.
He saved them from their enemies
3 and brought them from the lands,
From east and west, from north and south,
safe from oppressing hands.

4 Some wandered in the desert wastes,
not finding any way
To reach a city where they might
obtain a place to stay.
5 Their life and strength were ebbing fast
in thirst and emptiness.
6 Then in despair they sought the LORD,
who saved them from distress.

7 Straight was the path he led them on,
a city to attain.
8 So for the LORD’s unfailing love
let them give thanks again,
And for the awesome deeds of power
which he for them achieves—
9 For hungry souls he fills with good;
the thirsty he relieves.

10 Some sat in darkness and in gloom,
in chains of iron held;
11 They scorned the ways of God Most High,
against his words rebelled.
12 And so he made them labour hard
in bitterness and shame.
They stumbled, and they could not rise;
to help them no one came.

13 Then to the LORD they cried for help;
he saved them from their doom.
14 He broke away their cruel chains
and brought them out of gloom.
15 So let them thank him for his love,
the deeds which he achieves—
16 Because he breaks down gates of bronze
and iron bars he cleaves.

17 Some erred through their rebellious ways
and for their sins paid dear.
18 All kinds of food revolted them;
the gates of death drew near.
19 Then in despair they sought the LORD;
he saved them from their doom.
20 His word went forth with healing power
and kept them from the tomb.

21 So for the LORD’s unfailing love
let them give thanks again;
And for the awesome deeds of power
which he achieves for men.
22 Let them prepare a sacrifice
and bring an offering;
In praise of all his mighty acts
let them rejoice and sing.

23 Yet others traded on the sea;
they sailed the ocean’s length.
24 They saw the wonders of the LORD,
and on the deep his strength.
25 For when he spoke, a tempest rose;
the sea grew wild and rough.
26 They mounted up to heaven, and then
went down into the trough.

At this their courage fled away,
for danger was in view.
27 They reeled and staggered as with drink;
they knew not what to do.
28 Then in despair they sought the LORD,
who saved them from distress.
29 He stilled the storm, so that the waves
were hushed in quietness.

30 Their joy was great when it grew calm;
they anchored safe again.
31 Then let them thank him for his love,
his awesome deeds for men.
32 So in the elders’ council may
they ever praise the LORD;
And in the people’s gathering
let them exalt their God.

33 He changed the streams to wilderness,
fresh springs to desert bare,
34 And fruitful land to barren waste,
for sins of dwellers there.
35 He changed parched ground to flowing streams;
the hungry there he led
36 To found a city safe and strong,
which they inhabited.

37 They reaped a fruitful harvest from
the vineyard and the field.
38 He blessed and made them multiply;
their herds maintained their yield.
39 They faced decline, their fortunes fell,
they suffered great distress.
40 Brought low by him who scorns the proud,
they roamed the wilderness.

41 But he did not abandon them;
he brought the needy folk
From their affliction, and increased
their fam’lies like a flock.
42 The upright see this and are glad;
the wicked hold their peace.
43 Let all the wise take note and learn
the LORD’s love does not cease.

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