1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is gracious, ♦
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say this, ♦
those he redeemed from the hand of the enemy,
3 And gathered out of the lands
from the east and from the west, ♦
from the north and from the south.
4 Some went astray in desert wastes ♦
and found no path to a city to dwell in.
5 Hungry and thirsty, ♦
their soul was fainting within them.
6 So they cried to the Lord in their trouble ♦
and he delivered them from their distress.
7 He set their feet on the right way ♦
till they came to a city to dwell in.
8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his goodness ♦
and the wonders he does for his children.
9 For he satisfies the longing soul ♦
and fills the hungry soul with good.
10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, ♦
bound fast in misery and iron,
11 For they had rebelled against the words of God ♦
and despised the counsel of the Most High.
12 So he bowed down their heart with heaviness; ♦
they stumbled and there was none to help them.
13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, ♦
and he delivered them from their distress.
14 He brought them out of darkness and out of the shadow of death, ♦
and broke their bonds asunder.
15 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his goodness ♦
and the wonders he does for his children.
16 For he has broken the doors of bronze ♦
and breaks the bars of iron in pieces.
17 Some were foolish and took a rebellious way, ♦
and were plagued because of their wrongdoing.
18 Their soul abhorred all manner of food ♦
and drew near to the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, ♦
and he delivered them from their distress.
20 He sent forth his word and healed them, ♦
and saved them from destruction.
21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his goodness ♦
and the wonders he does for his children.
22 Let them offer him sacrifices of thanksgiving ♦
and tell of his acts with shouts of joy.
23 Those who go down to the sea in ships ♦
and ply their trade in great waters,
24 These have seen the works of the Lord ♦
and his wonders in the deep.
25 For at his word the stormy wind arose ♦
and lifted up the waves of the sea.
26 They were carried up to the heavens
and down again to the deep; ♦
their soul melted away in their peril.
27 They reeled and staggered like a drunkard ♦
and were at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, ♦
and he brought them out of their distress.
29 He made the storm be still ♦
and the waves of the sea were calmed.
30 Then were they glad because they were at rest, ♦
and he brought them to the haven they desired.
31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his goodness ♦
and the wonders he does for his children.
32 Let them exalt him in the congregation of the people ♦
and praise him in the council of the elders.
33 The Lord turns rivers into wilderness ♦
and water springs into thirsty ground;
34 A fruitful land he makes a salty waste, ♦
because of the wickedness of those who dwell there.
35 He makes the wilderness a pool of water ♦
and water springs out of a thirsty land.
36 There he settles the hungry ♦
and they build a city to dwell in.
37 They sow fields and plant vineyards ♦
and bring in a fruitful harvest.
38 He blesses them, so that they multiply greatly; ♦
he does not let their herds of cattle decrease.
39 He pours contempt on princes ♦
and makes them wander in trackless wastes.
40 They are diminished and brought low, ♦
through stress of misfortune and sorrow,
41 But he raises the poor from their misery ♦
and multiplies their families like flocks of sheep.
42 The upright will see this and rejoice, ♦
but all wickedness will shut its mouth.
43 Whoever is wise will ponder these things ♦
and consider the loving-kindness of the Lord.
O living Christ,
rescue us from foolish passion
and still the storms of our self-will;
and, as you are our anchor in this life,
so bring us to the haven you have prepared for us;
for your mercy’s sake.
Common Worship: Daily Prayer, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2005 and published by Church House Publishing.
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