Psalm 107:23–43

²³Some sailed over the ocean in ships,

earning their living on the seas.

²⁴They saw what the Lord can do,

his wonderful acts on the seas.

²⁵He commanded, and a mighty wind began to blow

and stirred up the waves.

²⁶The ships were lifted high in the air

and plunged down into the depths.

In such danger the sailors lost their courage;

²⁷they stumbled and staggered like drunken men—

all their skill was useless.

²⁸Then in their trouble they called to the Lord,

and he saved them from their distress.

²⁹He calmed the raging storm,

and the waves became quiet.

³⁰They were glad because of the calm,

and he brought them safe to the port they wanted.

³¹They must thank the Lord for his constant love,

for the wonderful things he did for them.

³²They must proclaim his greatness in the assembly of the people

and praise him before the council of the leaders.

³³The Lord made rivers dry up completely

and stopped springs from flowing.

³⁴He made rich soil become a salty wilderness

because of the wickedness of those who lived there.

³⁵He changed deserts into pools of water

and dry land into flowing springs.

³⁶He let hungry people settle there,

and they built a city to live in.

³⁷They sowed the fields and planted grapevines

and reaped an abundant harvest.

³⁸He blessed his people, and they had many children;

he kept their herds of cattle from decreasing.

³⁹When God’s people were defeated and humiliated

by cruel oppression and suffering,

⁴⁰he showed contempt for their oppressors

and made them wander in trackless deserts.

⁴¹But he rescued the needy from their misery

and made their families increase like flocks.

⁴²The righteous see this and are glad,

but all the wicked are put to silence.

⁴³May those who are wise think about these things;

may they consider the Lord’s constant love.