3/22/09 Psalm

RCL reading for Sunday, March 22, 2009:
Excerpt from The New Revised Standard Version
via Oremus (http://bible.oremus.org)

Psalm 107: 1-3, 17-22

1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
those he redeemed from trouble
3 and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.

17 Some were sick through their sinful ways,
and because of their iniquities endured affliction;
18 they loathed any kind of food,
and they drew near to the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress;
20 he sent out his word and healed them,
and delivered them from destruction.
21 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to humankind.
22 And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices,
and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.

QUESTIONS
Why do you think verses 17-22 were chosen instead of verses 4-16 or 23-43?
In verse 17, some translations substitute “fools” or “foolish” for “sick.” How does that change the meaning of the verse?