1. Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good. His faithful love continues forever.
2. That's what those who have been set free by the Lord should say. He set them free from the power of the enemy.
3. He brought them back from other lands. He brought them back from east and west, from north and south.
4. Some of them wandered in deserts that were dry and empty. They couldn't find their way to a city where they could settle down.
5. They were hungry and thirsty. Their lives were slipping away.
6. Then they cried out to the Lord because of their problems. And he saved them from their troubles.
7. He led them straight to a city where they could settle down.
8. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his faithful love. Let them give thanks for the miracles he does for his people.
9. He gives those who are thirsty all of the water they want. He gives those who are hungry all of the good food they can eat.
10. Others lived in the deepest darkness. They suffered as prisoners in iron chains.
11. That's because they hadn't obeyed the words of God. They had refused to follow the advice of the Most High God.
12. So he made them do work that was hard and bitter. They tripped and fell, and there was no one to help them.
13. Then they cried out to the Lord because of their problems. And he saved them from their troubles.
14. He brought them out of the deepest darkness. He broke their chains off.
15. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his faithful love. Let them give thanks for the miracles he does for his people.
16. He breaks down gates that are made of bronze. He cuts through bars that are made of iron.