The Redeemed Give Thanks
Psalms 106
This psalm gathers several pictures of people in distress, wanderers lost in the wilderness, prisoners in darkness and iron, the sick near the gates of death, and sailors tossed by a storm, each crying to the Lord and being delivered, with the refrain that they should acknowledge his mercies. It also describes the Lord turning fruitful land into desert for the wickedness of its people and turning desert into fruitful land for the poor whom he lifts up.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonO GIVE thanks to the Lord, for He is good: for to everlasting His mercy endureth.
BrentonAlleluia. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endures for ever.
GreekἈλληλούϊα. Ἐξομολογεῖσθε τῷ Κυρίῳ, ὅτι χρηστὸς, ὅτι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τὸ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ.
KJVO give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
JPS'O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good, For His mercy endureth for ever.'
2
ThomsonLet this be said by them whom the Lord hath redeemed—whom he hath redeemed from an enemy’s hand—
BrentonLet them say so who have been redeemed by the Lord, whom he has redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
GreekΕἰπάτωσαν οἱ λελυτρωμένοι ὑπὸ Κυρίου, οὓς ἐλυτρώσατο ἐκ χειρὸς ἐχθροῦ,
KJVLet the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
JPSSo let the redeemed of the LORD say, Whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the adversary;
3
Thomsonwhom he hath gathered out of the countries; from the east and west and north and south.
Brentonand gathered them out of the countries, from the east, and west, and north, and south.
Greekκαὶ ἐκ τῶν χωρῶν συνήγαγεν αὐτούς· ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν, καὶ δυσμῶν, καὶ βοῤῥᾶ, καὶ θαλάσσης.
KJVAnd gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
JPSAnd gathered them out of the lands, From the east and from the west, From the north and from the sea.
4
ThomsonThey had wandered in the desert in a land without water; they found no way to a city of habitation.
BrentonThey wandered in the wilderness in a dry land; they found no way to a city of habitation.
GreekἘπλανήθησαν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ἐν ἀνύδρῳ· ὁδὸν πόλεως κατοικητηρίου οὐχ εὗρον·
KJVThey wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
JPSThey wandered in the wilderness in a desert way; They found no city of habitation.
5
ThomsonThey were hungry and thirsty. Their soul within them fainted:
BrentonHungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
GreekΠεινῶντες καὶ διψῶντες, ἡ ψυχὴ αὐτῶν ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐξέλιπε.
KJVHungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
JPSHungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them.
6
Thomsonthen they cried to the Lord in their affliction; and He delivered them from their distresses:
BrentonThen they cried to the Lord in their affliction, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
GreekΚαὶ ἐκέκραξαν πρὸς Κύριον ἐν τῷ θλίβεσθαι αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἐκ τῶν ἀναγκῶν αὐτῶν ἐῤῥύσατο αὐτούς·
KJVThen they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
JPSThen they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, And He delivered them out of their distresses.
7
Thomsonand conducted them to a straight road; that they might go to a city of habitation.
BrentonAnd he guided them into a straight path, that they might go to a city of habitation.
GreekΚαὶ ὡδήγησεν αὐτοὺς εἰς ὁδὸν εὐθεῖαν, τοῦ πορευθῆναι εἰς πόλιν κατοικητηρίου.
KJVAnd he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
JPSAnd He led them by a straight way, That they might go to a city of habitation.
8
ThomsonO let them praise the Lord for His mercies; and for His wonderful dealings with the sons of men:
BrentonLet them acknowledge to the Lord his mercies, and his wonderful works to the children of men.
GreekἘξομολογησάσθωσαν τῷ Κυρίῳ τὰ ἐλέη αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὰ θαυμάσια αὐτοῦ τοῖς υἱοῖς τῶν ἀνθρώπων.
KJVOh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
JPSLet them give thanks unto the LORD for His mercy, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
9
Thomsonbecause He hath satisfied the longing soul; and filled the hungry with good things.
BrentonFor he satisfies the empty soul, and fills the hungry soul with good things,
GreekὍτι ἐχόρτασε ψυχὴν κενὴν, καὶ πεινῶσαν ἐνέπλησεν ἀγαθῶν.
KJVFor he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
JPSFor He hath satisfied the longing soul, And the hungry soul He hath filled with good.
10
ThomsonAs for them who sat in darkness and the shadow of death; bound with affliction and irons;
Brentoneven them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death, fettered in poverty and iron;
GreekΚαθημένους ἐν σκότει καὶ σκιᾷ θανάτου, πεπεδημένους ἐν πτωχείᾳ καὶ σιδήρῳ·
KJVSuch as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;
JPSSuch as sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, Being bound in affliction and iron—
11
Thomsonbecause they rebelled against the oracles of God; and contemned the counsel of the Most High:
Brentonbecause they rebelled against the words of God, and provoked the counsel of the Most High.
GreekὍτι παρεπίκραναν τὰ λόγια τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ τὴν βουλὴν τοῦ ὑψίστου παρώξυναν·
KJVBecause they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:
JPSBecause they rebelled against the words of God, And contemned the counsel of the Most High.
12
Thomsonwhen their heart was brought low by troubles—when they were weak and there was no helper:
BrentonSo their heart was brought low with troubles; they were weak, and there was no helper.
GreekΚαὶ ἐταπεινώθη ἐν κόποις ἡ καρδία αὐτῶν, ἠσθένησαν καὶ οὐκ ἦν ὁ βοηθῶν.
KJVTherefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.
JPS—
13
Thomsonthen they cried to the Lord in their affliction; and He saved them from their distresses;
BrentonThen they cried to the Lord in their affliction, and he saved them out of their distresses.
GreekΚαὶ ἐκέκραξαν πρὸς Κύριον ἐν τῷ θλίβεσθαι αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἐκ τῶν ἀναγκῶν αὐτῶν ἔσωσεν αὐτούς.
KJVThen they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.
JPSThey cried unto the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses.
14
Thomsonand brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death; and burst their chains asunder.
BrentonAnd he brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their bonds asunder.
GreekΚαὶ ἐξήγαγεν αὐτοὺς ἐκ σκότους καὶ σκιᾶς θανάτου, καὶ τοὺς δεσμοὺς αὐτῶν διέῤῥηξεν.
KJVHe brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.
JPSHe brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And broke their bands in sunder. .
15
ThomsonO let them praise the Lord for His mercies, and for His wonderful dealings with the sons of men;
BrentonLet them acknowledge to the Lord his mercies, and his wonders to the children of men.
GreekἘξομολογησάσθωσαν τῷ Κυρίῳ τὰ ἐλέη αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὰ θαυμάσια αὐτοῦ τοῖς υἱοῖς τῶν ἀνθρώπων.
KJVOh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
JPSLet them give thanks unto the LORD for His mercy, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
16
Thomsonfor He hath dashed to shivers the gates of brass, and broken asunder the bars of iron.
BrentonFor he broke to pieces the brazen gates, and crushed the iron bars.
GreekὍτι συνέτριψε πύλας χαλκᾶς, καὶ μοχλοὺς σιδηροὺς συνέθλασεν.
KJVFor he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.
JPSFor He hath broken the gates of brass, And cut the bars of iron in sunder.
17
ThomsonHe helped them out of the way of their transgression: for on account of their iniquities they were brought low.
BrentonHe helped them out of the way of their iniquity; for they were brought low because of their iniquities.
GreekἈντελάβετο αὐτῶν ἐξ ὁδοῦ ἀνομίας αὐτῶν, διὰ γὰρ τὰς ἀνομίας αὐτῶν ἐταπεινώθησαν.
KJVFools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.
JPSCrazed because of the way of their transgression, And afflicted because of their iniquities—
18
ThomsonTheir soul abhorred all manner of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.
BrentonTheir soul abhorred all meat; and they drew near to the gates of death.
GreekΠᾶν βρῶμα ἐβδελύξατο ἡ ψυχὴ αὐτῶν, καὶ ἤγγισαν ἕως τῶν πυλῶν τοῦ θανάτου.
KJVTheir soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.
JPSTheir soul abhorred all manner of food, And they drew near unto the gates of death—
19
ThomsonThen they cried to the Lord in their affliction, and He saved them from their distresses.
BrentonThen they cried to the Lord in their affliction, and he saved them out of their distresses.
GreekΚαὶ ἐκέκραξαν πρὸς Κύριον ἐν τῷ θλίβεσθαι αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἐκ τῶν ἀναγκῶν αὐτῶν ἔσωσεν αὐτούς.
KJVThen they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.
JPSThey cried unto the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses;
20
ThomsonHe sent forth His word and healed them; and delivered them from their destructions.
BrentonHe sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them out of their destructions.
GreekἈπέστειλε τὸν λόγον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἰάσατο αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἐῤῥύσατο αὐτοὺς ἐκ τῶν διαφθορῶν αὐτῶν.
KJVHe sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
JPSHe sent His word, and healed them, And delivered them from their graves.
21
ThomsonO let them praise the Lord for His mercies, and for His wonderful dealings with the sons of men;
BrentonLet them acknowledge to the Lord his mercies, and his wonderful works to the children of men.
GreekἘξομολογησάσθωσαν τῷ Κυρίῳ τὰ ἐλέη αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὰ θαυμάσια αὐτοῦ τοῖς υἱοῖς τῶν ἀνθρώπων·
KJVOh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
JPSLet them give thanks unto the LORD for His mercy, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
22
Thomsonand let them offer Him a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and publish His works with joy.
BrentonAnd let them offer to him the sacrifice of praise, and proclaim his works with exultation.
GreekΚαὶ θυσάτωσαν αὐτῷ θυσίαν αἰνέσεως, καὶ ἐξαγγειλάτωσαν τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ ἐν ἀγαλλιάσει.
KJVAnd let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.
JPSAnd let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And declare His works with singing.
23
ThomsonAs for them who go to sea in ships, and traffic on the mighty waters—
BrentonThey that go down to the sea in ships, doing business in many waters;
GreekΟἱ καταβαίνοντες εἰς θάλασσαν ἐν πλοίοις, ποιοῦντες ἐργασίαν ἐν ὕδασι πολλοῖς,
KJVThey that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
JPSThey that go down to the sea in ships, That do business in great waters—
24
Thomsonthey see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep.
Brentonthese men have seen the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.
Greekαὐτοὶ εἶδον τὰ ἔργα Κυρίου, καὶ τὰ θαυμάσια αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ βυθῷ.
KJVThese see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.
JPSThese saw the works of the LORD, And His wonders in the deep;
25
ThomsonHe spake, and up rose a tempestuous wind: and its waves are lifted high;
BrentonHe speaks, and the stormy wind arises, and its waves are lifted up.
GreekΕἶπε, καὶ ἔστη πνεῦμα καταιγίδος, καὶ ὑψώθη τὰ κύματα αὐτῆς.
KJVFor he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.
JPSFor He commanded, and raised the stormy wind, Which lifted up the waves thereof;
26
Thomsonthey mount up to the heavens: then down they descend into the depths; with perils, their souls are melted;—
BrentonThey go up to the heavens, and go down to the depths; their soul melts because of troubles.
GreekἈναβαίνουσιν ἕως τῶν οὐρανῶν, καὶ καταβαίνουσιν ἕως τῶν ἀβύσσων· ἡ ψυχὴ αὐτῶν ἐν κακοῖς ἐτήκετο,
KJVThey mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.
JPSThey mounted up to the heaven, they went down to the deeps; Their soul melted away because of trouble;
27
Thomsonthey reel and stagger like one drunk, and all their skill is swallowed up.
BrentonThey are troubled, they stagger as a drunkard, and all their wisdom is swallowed up.
Greekἐταράχθησαν, ἐσαλεύθησαν ὡς ὁ μεθύων, καὶ πᾶσα ἡ σοφία αὐτῶν κατεπόθη.
KJV—
JPSThey reeled to and fro, and staggered like a drunken man, And all their wisdom was swallowed up—
28
ThomsonThen they cried to the Lord in their affliction, and He brought them out of their distresses.
BrentonThen they cry to the Lord in their affliction, and he brings them out of their distresses.
GreekΚαὶ ἐκέκραξαν πρὸς Κύριον ἐν τῷ θλίβεσθαι αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἐκ τῶν ἀναγκῶν αὐτῶν ἐξήγαγεν αὐτούς.
KJVThen they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
JPSThey cried unto the LORD in their trouble, And He brought them out of their distresses.
29
ThomsonHe rebuked the tempest, and it stopt in a still calm; and its waves were lulled to silence.
BrentonAnd he commands the storm, and it is calmed into a gentle breeze, and its waves are still.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπέταξε τῇ καταιγίδι, καὶ ἔστη εἰς αὖραν, καὶ ἐσίγησαν τὰ κύματα αὐτῆς.
KJVHe maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.
JPSHe made the storm a calm, So that the waves thereof were still.
30
ThomsonAnd they were glad, because they were at rest. And He conducted them to their desired port.
BrentonAnd they are glad, because they are quiet; and he guides them to their desired haven.
GreekΚαὶ εὐφράνθησαν, ὅτι ἡσύχασαν, καὶ ὡδήγησεν αὐτοὺς ἐπὶ λιμένα θελήματος αὐτῶν.
KJVThen are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
JPSThen were they glad because they were quiet, And He led them unto their desired haven.
31
ThomsonO let them praise the Lord for His mercies, and for His wonderful dealings with the sons of men.
BrentonLet them acknowledge to the Lord his mercies, and his wonderful works to the children of men.
GreekἘξομολογησάσθωσαν τῷ Κυρίῳ τὰ ἐλέη αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὰ θαυμάσια αὐτοῦ τοῖς υἱοῖς τῶν ἀνθρώπων.
KJVOh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
JPSLet them give thanks unto the LORD for His mercy, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
32
ThomsonLet them extol Him in the congregation of the people: and praise Him in the assembly of Elders.
BrentonLet them exalt him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the seat of the elders.
GreekὙψωσάτωσαν αὐτὸν ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ λαοῦ, καὶ ἐν καθέδρᾳ πρεσβυτέρων αἰνεσάτωσαν αὐτόν.
KJVLet them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
JPSLet them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people, And praise Him in the seat of the elders.
33
ThomsonHe hath turned rivers into a wilderness: and outlets of water into a thirsty land—
BrentonHe turns rivers into a desert, and streams of water into a dry land;
GreekἜθετο ποταμοὺς εἰς ἐρήμον, καὶ διεξόδους ὑδάτων εἰς δίψαν·
KJVHe turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;
JPS—
34
Thomsona fruitful country into barrenness: for the wickedness of them who dwell therein.
Brentona fruitful land into saltness, for the wickedness of them that dwell in it.
GreekΓῆν καρποφόρον εἰς ἅλμην, ἀπὸ κακίας τῶν κατοικούντων ἐν αὐτῇ.
KJVA fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
JPSA fruitful land into a salt waste, For the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
35
ThomsonHe hath turned a desert into pools of water, and a thirsty soil into water springs:
BrentonHe turns a wilderness into pools of water, and a dry land into streams of water.
GreekἜθετο ἔρημον εἰς λίμνας ὑδάτων, καὶ γῆν ἄνυδρον εἰς διεξόδους ὑδάτων.
KJVHe turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.
JPSHe turneth a wilderness into a pool of water, And a dry land into watersprings.
36
Thomsonand caused the hungry to dwell there. And they have erected abiding cities:
BrentonAnd there he causes the hungry to dwell, and they establish for themselves cities of habitation.
GreekΚαὶ κατῴκισεν ἐκεῖ πεινῶντας, καὶ συνεστήσαντο πόλεις κατοικεσίας·
KJVAnd there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;
JPSAnd there He maketh the hungry to dwell, And they establish a city of habitation;
37
Thomsonand have sown fields and planted vineyards, which have yielded them the fruits of increase.
BrentonAnd they sow fields, and plant vineyards, and they yield fruit of increase.
GreekΚαὶ ἔσπειραν ἀγροὺς, καὶ ἐφύτευσαν ἀμπελῶνας, καὶ ἐποίησαν καρπὸν γεννήματος.
KJVAnd sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.
JPSAnd sow fields, and plant vineyards, Which yield fruits of increase.
38
Thomson—
BrentonAnd he blesses them, and they multiply exceedingly, and he diminishes not the number of their cattle.
GreekΚαὶ εὐλόγησεν αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἐπληθύνθησαν σφόδρα, καὶ τὰ κτήνη αὐτῶν οὐκ ἐσμίκρυνε.
KJV—
JPS—
39
ThomsonAgain they have been diminished, and brought low by oppressions, afflictions, and sorrow.
BrentonAgain they become few, and are brought low, by the pressure of evils and pain.
GreekΚαὶ ὠλιγώθησαν καὶ ἐκακώθησαν ἀπὸ θλίψεως κακῶν καὶ ὀδύνης.
KJVAgain, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.
JPS—
40
ThomsonContempt hath been poured on their princes: and He hath caused them to wander in a trackless desert.
BrentonContempt is poured upon their princes, and he causes them to wander in a desert and trackless land.
GreekἘξεχύθη ἐξουδένωσις ἐπʼ ἄρχοντας αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐπλάνησεν αὐτοὺς ἐν ἀβάτῳ καὶ οὐχ ὁδῷ.
KJVHe poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.
JPSHe poureth contempt upon princes, And causeth them to wander in the waste, where there is no way.
41
ThomsonThen out of affliction He hath helped the needy, and hath made families like a flock.
BrentonBut he helps the poor out of poverty, and makes him families as a flock.
GreekΚαὶ ἐβοήθησε πένητι ἐκ πτωχείας, καὶ ἔθετο ὡς πρόβατα πατριάς·
KJVYet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.
JPS—
42
ThomsonLet the righteous see and rejoice, and let all iniquity stop its mouth.
BrentonThe upright shall see and rejoice; and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
GreekὌψονται εὐθεῖς καὶ εὐφρανθήσονται, καὶ πᾶσα ἀνομία ἐμφράξει τὸ στόμα αὐτῆς.
KJVThe righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
JPSThe upright see it, and are glad; And all iniquity stoppeth her mouth.
43
ThomsonWhosoever is wise and will observe these things, he will understand the mercies of the Lord.
BrentonWho is wise, and will observe these things, and understand the mercies of the Lord?
GreekΤίς σοφὸς καὶ φυλάξει ταῦτα, καὶ συνήσει τὰ ἐλέη τοῦ Κυρίου;
KJVWhoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.
JPSWhoso is wise, let him observe these things, And let them consider the mercies of the LORD.