Psalm 107 ~ For He broke down the gates of bronze and snapped the bars of iron

Iron Age Gate

On the northern frontier of the kingdom, Dan was particularly well fortified. This gatehouse was built in the ninth century, probably by Ahab, and is part of a series of gateways discovered. The foreground of this picture is the area of the discovery of the Dan Inscription which mentions the "House of David."

Psalm 107

1

"Give thanks to the LORD who is good, whose love endures forever!"
2
Let that be the prayer of the LORD'S redeemed, those redeemed from the hand of the foe,
3
Those gathered from foreign lands, from east and west, from north and south.


4
Some had lost their way in a barren desert; found no path toward a city to live in.
5
They were hungry and thirsty; their life was ebbing away.
6
In their distress they cried to the LORD, who rescued them in their peril,
7
Guided them by a direct path so they reached a city to live in.
8
Let them thank the LORD for such kindness, such wondrous deeds for mere mortals.
9
For he satisfied the thirsty, filled the hungry with good things.
10
Some lived in darkness and gloom, in prison, bound with chains,
11
Because they rebelled against God's word, scorned the counsel of the Most High,
12
Who humbled their hearts through hardship; they stumbled with no one to help.
13
In their distress they cried to the LORD, who saved them in their peril,
14
Led them forth from darkness and gloom and broke their chains asunder.
15
Let them thank the LORD for such kindness, such wondrous deeds for mere mortals.
16
For he broke down the gates of bronze and snapped the bars of iron.


17
Some fell sick from their wicked ways, afflicted because of their sins.
18
They loathed all manner of food; they were at the gates of death.
19
In their distress they cried to the LORD, who saved them in their peril,
20
Sent forth the word to heal them, snatched them from the grave.
21
Let them thank the LORD for such kindness, such wondrous deeds for mere mortals.
22
Let them offer a sacrifice in thanks, declare his works with shouts of joy.


23
Some went off to sea in ships, plied their trade on the deep waters.
24
They saw the works of the LORD, the wonders of God in the deep.
25
He spoke and roused a storm wind; it tossed the waves on high.
26
They rose up to the heavens, sank to the depths; their hearts trembled at the danger.
27
They reeled, staggered like drunkards; their skill was of no avail.
28
In their distress they cried to the LORD, who brought them out of their peril,


29
Hushed the storm to a murmur; the waves of the sea were stilled.
30
They rejoiced that the sea grew calm, that God brought them to the harbor they longed for.
31
Let them thank the LORD for such kindness, such wondrous deeds for mere mortals.
32
Let them praise him in the assembly of the people, give thanks in the council of the elders.
33
2 God changed rivers into desert, springs of water into thirsty ground,
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Fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the wickedness of its people.
35
He changed the desert into pools of water, arid land into springs of water,
36
And settled the hungry there; they built a city to live in.
37
They sowed fields and planted vineyards, brought in an abundant harvest.
38
God blessed them, they became very many, and their livestock did not decrease.
40
But he poured out contempt on princes, made them wander the trackless wastes,


39
Where they were diminished and brought low through misery and cruel oppression,
41
While the poor were released from their affliction; their families increased like their flocks.
42
The upright saw this and rejoiced; all wickedness shut its mouth.
43
Whoever is wise will take note of these things, will ponder the merciful deeds of the LORD.

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