PSALM CVII.

Tate and Brady

2, 3 Let those give thanks whom he from bands
Of proud oppressing foes releas'd;
And brought them back from distant lands,
From north and south, and west and east.

4, 5 Through lonely desert ways they went,
Nor could a peopled city find;
Till, quite with thirst and hunger spent,
Their fainting soul within them pin'd.

6 Then soon to God's indulgent ear
Did they their mournful cry address;
Who graciously vouchsaf'd to hear,
And freed them from their deep distress.

7. From crooked paths he led them forth,
And in the certain way did guide
To wealthy towns of great resort,
Where all their wants were well supplied.

8 O then that all the earth with me
Would God for this his goodness praise,
And for the mighty works which he
Throughout the wond'ring world displays!

9 For he from heav'n the sad estate
Of longing souls with pity views;
To hungry souls that pant for meat,
His goodness daily food renews.

10 Some lie, with darkness compass'd round,
In death's uncomfortable shade,
And with unwieldy fetters bound,
By pressing cares more heavy made.

11, 12 Because God's counsel they defied,
And lightly priz'd his holy word,
With these afflictions they were tried:
They fell, and none could help afford.

13 Then soon to God's indulgent ear
Did they their mournful cry address;
Who graciously vouchsaf'd to hear,
And freed them from their deep distress.

14 From dismal dungeons, dark as night,
And shades as black as death's abode,
He brought them forth to cheerful light,
And welcome liberty bestow'd.

15 O then that all the earth with me
Would God for this his goodness praise,
And for the mighty works which he
Throughout the wond'ring world displays!

16 For he with his Almighty hand
The gates of brass in pieces broke;
Nor could the massy bars withstand,
Or temper'd steel resist his stroke.

17 Remorseless wretches, void of sense,
With bold transgressions God defy,
And, for their multiplied offence,
Oppress'd with sore diseases lie.

18 Their soul, a prey to pain and fear,
Abhors to taste the choicest meats;
And they by faint degrees draw near
To death's inhospitable gates.

19 Then straight to God's indulgent ear
Do they their mournful cry address,
Who graciously vouchsafes to hear,
And frees them from their deep distress.

20 He all their sad distempers heals,
His word both health and safety gives;
And, when all human succour fails,
From near destruction them retrieves.

21 O then that all the earth with me
Would God for this his goodness praise,
And for the mighty works which he
Throughout the wond'ring world displays!

22 With off'rings let his altar flame,
Whilst they their grateful thanks express,
And with loud joy his holy Name
For all his acts of wonder bless!

23, 24 They that in ships, with courage bold,
O'er swelling waves their trade pursue,
Do God's amazing works behold,
And in the deep his wonders view.

25 No sooner his command is past,
But forth the dreadful tempest flies,
Which sweeps the sea with rapid haste,
And makes the stormy billows rise.

26 Sometimes the ships, toss'd up to heav'n,
On tops of mounting waves appear;
Then down the steep abyss are driv'n
Whilst ev'ry soul dissolves with fear.

27 They reel and stagger to and fro,
Like men with fumes of wine opprest;
Nor do the skilful seamen know
Which way to steer, what course is best.

28 Then straight to God's indulgent ear
They do their mournful cry address;
Who graciously vouchsafes to hear,
And frees them from their deep distress.

29, 30 He does the raging storm appease,
And makes the billows calm and still;
With joy they see their fury cease,
And their intended course fulfil.

31 O then that all the earth with me
Would God for this his goodness praise,
And for the mighty works which he
Throughout the wond'ring world displays!

32 Let them, where all the tribes resort,
Advance to heav'n his glorious Name,
And in the elders' sov'reign court,
With one consent his praise proclaim:

33,34 A fruitful land, where streams abound,
God's just revenge, if people sin,
Will turn to dry and barren ground,
To punish those that dwell therein.

35, 36 The parch'd and desert heath he makes
To flow with streams and springing wells,
Which for his lot the hungry takes,
And in strong cities safely dwells.

37,38 He sows the field, the vineyard plants,
Which gratefully his toil repay;
Nor can, whilst God his blessing grants,
His fruitful seed or stock decay.

39 But when his sins Heav'n's wrath provoke,
His health and substance fade away;
He feels th' oppressor's galling yoke,
And is of grief the wretched prey.

40 The prince who slights what God commands,
Expos'd to scorn, must quit his throne;
And over wild and desert lands,
Where no path offers, stray alone,

41 Whilst God, from all afflicting cares,
Sets up the humble man on high,
And makes in time his num'rous heirs
With his increasing flocks to vie.

42, 43. Then sinners shall have nought to say,
The just a decent joy shall show;
The wise these strange events shall weigh,
And thence God's goodness fully know.