1.O thank the LORD, for he is good;
his mercy e’er endures.
So let the LORD’s redeemed ones say,
the ones he saved from fear.
He saved them from their enemies
and brought them from the lands,
from east and west, from north and south,
from adversaries’ hands.

2.Some wandered in the desert wastes,
not finding any way
to reach a city where they might
obtain a place to stay.
Their weary souls within grew faint,
when thirst and hunger pressed.
They cried then to the LORD in grief;
he saved them from distress.

3.He made the way before them straight,
and he became their guide,
that they might to a city go
in which they would abide.
Then let them thank the LORD for all
his love and wondrous deeds.
He fills the hungry soul with good,
supplies the soul in need.

4.Some sat in death’s dark shade of night,
by chains in prison held;
they scorned the ways of God Most High,
against his words rebelled.
With heavy toil he brought them down,
their hearts he humbled low.
They stumbled in their deep distress,
with none to help their woe.

5.They cried then to the LORD in grief;
he saved them from distress;
he broke their chains, he saved from death;
from darkness brought release.
Then let them thank the LORD for all
his love and wondrous deeds.
He breaks in two their iron bars,
destroys their metal gates.

6. Some strayed as fools in sinful ways;
for sin they suffered pain.
They loathed their food of ev’ry kind;
to gates of death they came.
They cried then to the LORD in grief;
he saved them from distress.
He sent his word, and it went forth
to heal their wretchedness.

7. He sent his word to heal and save
from ruin and defeat.
Then let them thank the LORD for all
his love and wondrous deeds.
Now let them all with thankful hearts
their sacrifices bring;
in praise of all his mighty acts
let them rejoice and sing.

8. Some set their sails for oceans deep
and traded while at sea;
they saw the great deeds of the LORD,
his wonders in the deep.
He gave command, a tempest rose
and stirred the mighty sea.
The ships were lifted up on high,
then plunged down in the deep.

9. Their courage quickly fled away
for dreadful danger loomed.
They reeled and lurched like drunken men;
they knew not what to do.
They cried then to the LORD in grief;
he saved them from distress.
He stilled the storm, he calmed the waves,
and brought the sea to rest.

10. The quiet waters made them glad.
Their port they safely reached.
Then let them thank the LORD for all
his love and wondrous deeds.
Let all the congregation of
the people lift his praise.
Extol him in the council of
the elders; give him praise.

11. He changed the streams to wilderness,
fresh springs to desert bare,
and fruitful land to barren waste,
for sins of dwellers there.
He turned dry land to flowing streams;
the hungry there he led
to found a city safe and strong,
which they inhabited.

12. They reaped a fruitful harvest from
the vineyard and the field.
He blest and made them multiply;
their herds maintained their yield.
They faced decline, their fortunes fell,
they suffered great distress.
He pours contempt on princes, makes
them roam in trackless wastes.

13. But God has raised the needy ones
from evil, grief, and woe.
He gathered them like flocks of sheep
and made their fam’lies grow.
The upright see and celebrate;
the wicked speak no word.
Let all the wise consider well
the mercy of the LORD.