Chapter
107
This
psalm speaks of those who are saved from four specific perilous
situations(imprisonment, sickness, desert travel, and sea travel) and must
thank G-d, for their sins caused their troubles, and only by the kindness of G-d
were they saved. It is therefore appropriate that they praise G-d and tell of
their salvation to all.
1. Give thanks to the
Lord for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting. 2. So shall say those
redeemed by the Lord, those whom He redeemed from the hand of the oppressor. 3.
He gathered them from the lands-from east and from west, from north and from
the sea. 4. They lost their way in the wilderness, in the wasteland; they found
no inhabited city. 5. Both hungry and thirsty, their soul languished within
them. 6. They cried out to the Lord in their distress; He delivered them from
their afflictions. 7. He guided them in the right path to reach an inhabited
city. 8. Let them give thanks to the Lord, and [proclaim] His wonders to the
children of man, 9. for He has satiated a thirsting soul, and filled a hungry
soul with goodness. 10. Those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
bound in misery and chains of iron, 11. for they defied the words of G-d and
spurned the counsel of the Most High- 12. He humbled their heart through
suffering; they stumbled and there was none to help. 13. They cried out to the
Lord in their distress; He saved them from their afflictions. 14. He brought
them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and sundered their bonds. 15. Let
them give thanks to the Lord for His kindness, and [proclaim] His wonders to
the children of man, 16. for He broke the brass gates and smashed the iron
bars. 17. Foolish sinners are afflicted because of their sinful ways and their
wrongdoings. 18. Their soul loathes all food, and they reach the gates of
death. 19. They cried out to the Lord in their distress; He saved them from
their afflictions. 20. He sent forth His command and healed them; He delivered
them from their graves. 21. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His kindness,
and [proclaim] His wonders to the children of man. 22. Let them offer
sacrifices of thanksgiving, and joyfully recount His deeds. 23. Those who go
down to the sea in ships, who perform tasks in mighty waters; 24. they saw the
works of the Lord and His wonders in the deep. 25. He spoke and caused the
stormy wind to rise, and it lifted up the waves. 26. They rise to the sky,
plunge to the depths; their soul melts in distress. 27. They reel and stagger
like a drunkard, all their skill is to no avail. 28. They cried out to the Lord
in their distress, and He brought them out from their calamity. 29. He
transformed the storm into stillness, and the waves were quieted. 30. They
rejoiced when they were silenced, and He led them to their destination. 31. Let
them give thanks to the Lord for His kindness, and [proclaim] His wonders to
the children of man. 32. Let them exalt Him in the congregation of the people,
and praise Him in the assembly of the elders. 33. He turns rivers into desert,
springs of water into parched land, 34. a fruitful land into a salt-marsh,
because of the wickedness of those who inhabit it. 35. He turns a desert into a
lake, and parched land into springs of water. 36. He settles the hungry there,
and they establish a city of habitation. 37. They sow fields and plant
vineyards which yield fruit and wheat. 38. He blesses them and they multiply
greatly, and He does not decrease their cattle. 39. [If they sin,] they are
diminished and cast down through oppression, misery, and sorrow. 40. He pours
contempt upon distinguished men, and causes them to stray in a pathless
wilderness. 41. He raises the needy from distress, and makes their families [as
numerous] as flocks. 42. The upright observe this and rejoice, and all the
wicked close their mouth. 43. Let him who is wise bear these in mind, and then
the benevolent acts of the Lord will be understood.
Chapter
108
1.
A song, a psalm by David. 2. My heart is steadfast, O G-d; I will sing and
chant praises even with my soul. 3. Awake, O lyre and harp; I shall awaken the
dawn. 4. I will thank You among the nations, Lord; I will sing praises to You
among the peoples. 5. Indeed, Your kindness reaches above the heavens; Your
truth reaches to the skies. 6. Be exalted upon the heavens, O G-d, [show] Your
glory upon all the earth. 7. That Your beloved ones may be delivered, help with
Your right hand and answer me. 8. G-d spoke in His holiness that I would exult,
I would divide portions [of the enemies' land], I would measure the Valley of
Succot. 9. Mine is Gilead, mine is Manasseh, and Ephraim is the stronghold of
my head, Judah is my prince. 10. Moab is my washbasin, I will cast my shoe upon
Edom, I will shout over Philistia. 11. Who brings me to the fortified city? Who
led me unto Edom? 12. Is it not G-d, Who has [until now] forsaken us, and did
not go forth, O G-d, with our armies? 13. Give us help against the adversary;
futile is the help of man. 14. Through G-d we will do valiantly, and He will
trample our oppressors.
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