Psalms 137
137
Psalm 137
1By the rivers of Babylon, we sat down and cried
as we remembered Zion.
2We hung our lyres on willow trees.
3It was there that those who had captured us demanded that we sing.
Those who guarded us wanted us to entertain them.
⌞They said,⌟ “Sing a song from Zion for us!”
4How could we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?
5If I forget you, Jerusalem,
let my right hand forget ⌞how to play the lyre⌟.
6Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth
if I don’t remember you,
if I don’t consider Jerusalem my highest joy.
7O Lord, remember the people of Edom.
Remember what they did the day Jerusalem ⌞was captured⌟.
They said, “Tear it down! Tear it down to its foundation.”
8You destructive people of Babylon,
blessed is the one who pays you back
with the same treatment you gave us.
9Blessed is the one who grabs your little children
and smashes them against a rock.
Currently Selected:
Psalms 137: GW
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.
Psalms 137
137
Sorrow and Hope in Exile
I
1By the rivers of Babylon
there we sat weeping
when we remembered Zion.#Ez 3:15; Lam 3:48.
2On the poplars in its midst
we hung up our harps.#Is 24:8; Lam 5:14.
3For there our captors asked us
for the words of a song;
Our tormentors, for joy:
“Sing for us a song of Zion!”
4But how could we sing a song of the Lord
in a foreign land?
II
5If I forget you, Jerusalem,
may my right hand forget.#Jer 51:50.
6May my tongue stick to my palate
if I do not remember you,
If I do not exalt Jerusalem
beyond all my delights.
III
7Remember, Lord, against Edom
that day at Jerusalem.
They said: “Level it, level it
down to its foundations!”#Jer 49:7; Lam 4:21–22; Ez 25:12–14.
8Desolate Daughter Babylon, you shall be destroyed,
blessed the one who pays you back
what you have done us!#Is 47:1–3; Jer 50–51.
9#Blessed the one who seizes your children and smashes them against the rock: the children represent the future generations, and so must be destroyed if the enemy is truly to be eradicated.Blessed the one who seizes your children
and smashes them against the rock.#Hos 14:1.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc