O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good
Showers us with lovingkindness now and evermore
Let all those redeemed from bondage readily confess
Those He gathered from dispersion: north, south, east and west.

Long in desert wastes they wandered looking for a home
Hungry, thirsty, souls were fainting, finally cried for help
He delivered them from troubles, out of their distress
Down a straight path to a city ready to possess.

Oh, that men would thank the Lord for all His wondrous works
With grateful hearts declare His goodness to the sons of earth
He satisfies the thirsty soul and fills the hungry heart
We recount the many blessings that His goodness doth impart.

Once they sat in deepest darkness, in death’s shadow dwelt
Bound with chains and sore afflicted, labored ‘neath the captors whip
This oppression came upon them because they rejected God
Spurned His counsel, disobeyed, then felt the stinging judgment rod.

Down they fell with none to help them, so unto the Lord they called
He, in mercy, broke their chains, and saved them from their deep distress
Oh, that men would thank Him often for all of His wondrous deeds
Gratefully declare His goodness which our evil supersedes.

Fools, in their rebellious ways and sins did often suffer grief
Lost all appetite for food, hopeless, drew near to gates of death
Then cried out to the Lord to save, He sent His word to heal
He once again delivered them, saved from the captor’s heel.

Oh, that men would thank the Lord for all His wondrous pow’r
With grateful hearts declare His goodness to the sons of earth
Sacrifices of thanksgiving let them offer willingly
Much rejoicing for His mercy, mighty works that set them free.

Men who toil on ships at sea, on oceans ply their trade
See the mighty pow’r of God as storms their craft doth shake
Foaming waves that lift them high then plummet to the depths
Staggering like drunken men they fear a certain death.

And as their soul melts in distress, they cry out to the Lord
With swift command He calms the storm, stills waves and guides them home
Oh, that men would thank the Lord who, in His goodness, saves
Exalt His name with all the saints, ‘midst elders shout His praise.

To judge the wicked in their land He sometimes sends a flood
At other times springs are dried up and drought destroys the fields
But for the needy and oppressed He waters thirsty ground
Providing for their crops and herds a harvest that abounds.

He feels the misery and woe the poor must oft endure
So pours contempt on noble lords and makes them wander ‘bout
He lifts the needy from their plight, they flourish like a flock
The righteous see it and rejoice but wicked mouths are stopped.

May all who contemplate this psalm consider what they read
The wise will learn and understand, good counsel they will heed
Observe the lovingkindness and the goodness of the Lord
And choose to walk in humble ways which He will oft reward.

© 2014  J Dan Small