Daily reading

23Some went off to sea in ships,

plying the trade routes of the world.

24They, too, observed the Lord’s power in action,

his impressive works on the deepest seas.

25He spoke, and the winds rose,

stirring up the waves.

26Their ships were tossed to the heavens

and plunged again to the depths;

the sailors cringed in terror.

27They reeled and staggered like drunkards

and were at their wits’ end.

28“Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble,

and he saved them from their distress.

29He calmed the storm to a whisper

and stilled the waves.

30What a blessing was that stillness

as he brought them safely into harbor!

31Let them praise the Lord for his great love

and for the wonderful things he has done for them.

32Let them exalt him publicly before the congregation

and before the leaders of the nation.

33He changes rivers into deserts,

and springs of water into dry, thirsty land.

34He turns the fruitful land into salty wastelands,

because of the wickedness of those who live there.

35But he also turns deserts into pools of water,

the dry land into springs of water.

36He brings the hungry to settle there

and to build their cities.

37They sow their fields, plant their vineyards,

and harvest their bumper crops.

38How he blesses them!

They raise large families there,

and their herds of livestock increase.

39When they decrease in number and become impoverished

through oppression, trouble, and sorrow,

40the Lord pours contempt on their princes,

causing them to wander in trackless wastelands.

41But he rescues the poor from trouble

and increases their families like flocks of sheep.

42The godly will see these things and be glad,

while the wicked are struck silent.

43Those who are wise will take all this to heart;

they will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord.