Give thanks to God, for he is good, His mercy ever flows

Verse 1

Give thanks to God, for he is good His mercy ever flows,

Verse 2

So let the Lord's redeemed say, Whom he released from foes;

Verse 3

And gathered them from foreign lands, From north, south, east, and west.

Verse 4

They strolled through desert's untrod ways; And found no place of rest.

Verse 5

Hunger, and thirst, their fainting souls Did grievously oppress.

Verse 6

To God, in trouble, then they cried, Who freed them from distress.

Verse 7

He led them forth in a right way, And was their faithful guide; Till they arrived at cities, where Their wants were all supplied.

Verse 8

Let all with thanks, Jehovah praise, And make his goodness known; For he among the sons of men, Works wonderful hath done.

Verse 9

The strong desire of longing souls He kindly satisfies; With fruits of his benignity, The hungry soul supplies.

Verse 10

Who sit in darkness, and death's shade, With grief, and chains, bowed down:

Verse 11

Because God's word, and council they Dispised, and would not own:

Verse 12

He humbled their proud hearts with toil, They fell, and none could save.

Verse 13

To God, in trouble, then they cried, And he deliverance gave.

Verse 14

Their darkness, and death's shade, he changed To light, by his kind word; He broke their galling bands in twain, And liberty restored.

Verse 15

Let all, with thanks Jehovah praise And make his goodness known; For he, among the sons of men, Works wonderful hath done.

Verse 16

For by his strength, the gates of brass Are into pieces broke; The massy bars of iron are cut, Asunder by his stroke.

Verse 17

Fools rashly break through sacred laws, To gratify their sense; Till with diseases they're chastised, To punish their offense.

Verse 18

Their soul a painful loathing feels To every kind of meat; And they, their near approaches make To death's unfriendly gate.

Verse 19

To God, in trouble, then they cry; Who their distress relieves.

Verse 20

His sovereign word their sickness heals, And them from death reprieves.

Verse 21

Let all, with thanks, Jehovah praise, And make his goodness known; For he among the sons of men, Works wonderful hath done.

Verse 22

To him, let all their sacrifice, With thankful hearts, be brought; Declare with joy, to all the world, What God, for them, hath wrought.

Verse 23

Who sail in ships o'er mighty seas, And hope great gain to reap:

Verse 24

These do behold Jehovah's work; His wonders in the deep.

Verse 25

He speaks; and stormy winds arise; Like mounts, the billows rear.

Verse 26

To heaven they climb, then sink in gulfs; Their soul dissolves with fear.

Verse 27

They reel, and stagger, drunkard like, Terrors their minds oppress.

Verse 28

To God in trouble, then they cry, Who frees them from distress.

Verse 29

He stills the winds, and calms the seas, And quells their rougher sport.

Verse 30

They're glad of rest; he brings them safe, To their desired port.

Verse 31

Let all, with thanks, Jehovah praise, And make his goodness known; For he, among the sons of men, Works wonderful hath done.

Verse 32

Let them, in private companies. His honor highly raise; And where the assembled elders meet, Unite to spread his praise.

Verse 33

Rivers he turns to desert sands; And dries the fountains heads.

Verse 34

Provoked by daring crimes, with salt; The fruitful soil he spreads.

Verse 35

He turns the desert into pools; Dry ground, a springing well.

Verse 36

The hungry there he seats, who build, A city where they dwell,

Verse 37

They sow their fields, and vineyards plant, Which bring increased stocks.

Verse 38

His blessing multiplies their race; Nor, lessens he their flocks.

Verse 39

But when they sin, they're greatly thinned, And soon brought low again; By foreign, and domestic ills, Oppressed, and filled with pain.

Verse 40

On princes, who provoke his wrath, He pours contempt, and scorn; He makes them traverse trackless wastes, Unpitied, and forlorn.

Verse 41

The humble poor he seats om high, And doth from trouble keep; He makes his families increase, Like fruitful flocks of sheep.

Verse 42

The just shall see, and shall rejoice; But th' impious silent grow.

Verse 43

The wise will these events observe; And God's great goodness know.