Give thanks to God, the Lord, for He is good!
His mercy is enduring evermore!
May the redeemed proclaim this from childhood
Til ancient age of their God they adore,
For he redeemed them from the wicked shores
And brought them from Northern woods, Southern sands,
The Western seas, and distant Eastern lands.
Some wandered deep through sandy desert wastes
And sought a city long where they could dwell,
Yet thirsted, hungered, lacking much to taste
While strength within their fainting souls rebelled.
These pilgrims cried out though they were unwell.
Their weeping pleas did reach our listening Lord.
He rescued them the day that they implored.
By hand, He led them down the straightest road
To reach the city where they could abide.
We thank the Lord for His love ever flows,
His presence with me ever at my side.
My wondrous Father God is my sure Guide.
With power does he satisfy my thirst.
With His good food, my hunger is reversed.
Some sat in places dark where none could see.
They suffered lives in shackles and despair
Because they would not heed God’s good decrees
Though knowing all His words they did not care.
He broke their hearts with work they could not bear.
They tripped and fell though no one came to save,
Then screamed to God among their days enslaved.
He heard! He heard! He saved them from the pit!
He opened up the door of darkest depths,
Removing all the chains and yokes and bits.
With thanks to God – the One who saves – they leapt
In praise, for they the Loving Lord has kept!
He cracked and shattered every bronzen gate
And splintered bars of every iron-clad crate!
Some turned to fools through ways they did transgress
And felt their sins’ great weight and massive breadth
Because they could not, would not once confess.
They thought of food did take away their breaths,
And they did knock upon the gates of death.
They cried to God while dying in their mess.
He looked with love and saved from each distress.
God sent His Word and healed their broken hearts.
He brought them from the frightful, living grave.
Give thanks to God for the love He imparts –
This never ending love that ever saves –
For wondrous days before us all He paved.
Let’s speak of God in thankful sacrifice
And sing to Him the hymns of paradise!
Some sailed in ships upon the highest seas,
Engaging in their business and their trade.
They saw His works in the waves and the breeze
And wondrous creatures of the deep He made.
Then, waters rose and fell in great cascades.
They rode the crests and troughs throughout the storm.
Their courage melted when their terror formed.
The sailors floundered like some drunken men,
Confused, not knowing how they would survive.
They cried to God to make the tempest end!
He saved, yes, saved, and they remained alive!
The power of the storm no longer thrived
When once He stood and simply said, “Peace, be still.”
The waters turned quite tranquil as He willed.
They each rejoiced when oceans grew serene
And when He brought them safely to their port.
Let’s praise our God for His deeds we have seen,
For His great love and for how He exhorts –
With words and works – those gathered in His courts,
His children, young and old, who humbly praise,
The congregation with their hands upraised!
He drained the rivers they can’t be traced,
Converting springs into a thirsty ground.
The fruitful fields became a salty waste
Because wickedness had space to abound.
Remember, though, with mercy God is crowned
For deserts once are filled with pools and streams,
The dry and thirsty land spouts water springs.
He brought them to this brand new place to build
A city where their families spread their roots,
Where seeds will grow once fertile fields are tilled
And harvests in their vineyards yield much fruit.
See how His blessings are so absolute!
Each season did their herds and homes increase
And families grew in days of long-lived peace.
Remember, you, the days of hunger and despair,
All sorrows and oppressions that you faced.
The One who scorns mere man putting on airs
Did make you wander through the desert wastes
And fall into dark places much debased,
Who let your sins transform you to a fool
And sail into the maelstrom’s whirlpool!
But God, our God, is placing poor on high
And growing generations like the flocks.
The righteous praise this with words amplified,
While wicked words in wicked mouths are locked.
In you the wise, who with God daily walks,
Forget not His deeds wicked did not heed,
Recall His love wherein you daily read.
Jared Travis 