Psalm 107:23–43

²³Some went off to sea in ships,

plying the trade routes of the world.

²⁴They, too, observed the Lord’s power in action,

his impressive works on the deepest seas.

²⁵He spoke, and the winds rose,

stirring up the waves.

²⁶Their ships were tossed to the heavens

and plunged again to the depths;

the sailors cringed in terror.

²⁷They reeled and staggered like drunkards

and were at their wits’ end.

²⁸“Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble,

and he saved them from their distress.

²⁹He calmed the storm to a whisper

and stilled the waves.

³⁰What a blessing was that stillness

as he brought them safely into harbor!

³¹Let them praise the Lord for his great love

and for the wonderful things he has done for them.

³²Let them exalt him publicly before the congregation

and before the leaders of the nation.

³³He changes rivers into deserts,

and springs of water into dry, thirsty land.

³⁴He turns the fruitful land into salty wastelands,

because of the wickedness of those who live there.

³⁵But he also turns deserts into pools of water,

the dry land into springs of water.

³⁶He brings the hungry to settle there

and to build their cities.

³⁷They sow their fields, plant their vineyards,

and harvest their bumper crops.

³⁸How he blesses them!

They raise large families there,

and their herds of livestock increase.

³⁹When they decrease in number and become impoverished

through oppression, trouble, and sorrow,

⁴⁰the Lord pours contempt on their princes,

causing them to wander in trackless wastelands.

⁴¹But he rescues the poor from trouble

and increases their families like flocks of sheep.

⁴²The godly will see these things and be glad,

while the wicked are struck silent.

⁴³Those who are wise will take all this to heart;

they will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord.