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 pathso they reached a city to live in.
8. Let them thank the Lord for his mercy,such wondrous deeds for the children of Adam.
9. For he satisfied the thirsty,filled the hungry with good things.
10. Some lived in darkness and gloom,imprisoned in misery and chains.
11. Because they rebelled against God’s word,and scorned the counsel of the Most High,
12. He 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. He brought them forth from darkness and the shadow of deathand broke their chains asunder.
15. Let them thank the Lord for his mercy,such wondrous deeds for the children of Adam.
16. For he broke down the gates of bronzeand snapped the bars of iron.
17. Some fell sick from their wicked ways,afflicted because of their sins.