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Psalm 137

New International Reader’s Version

1 We were sitting by the rivers of Babylon. We wept when we remembered what had happened to Zion. 2 On the nearby poplar trees we hung up our harps. 3 Those who held us as prisoners asked us to sing. Those who enjoyed hurting us ordered us to sing joyful songs. They said, ‘Sing one of the songs of Zion to us!’ 4 How can we sing the songs of the LORD while we are in another land? 5 Jerusalem, if I forget you, may my right hand never be able to play the harp again. 6 If I don’t remember you, may my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth so I can’t sing. May it happen if I don’t consider Jerusalem to be my greatest joy. 7 LORD, remember what the people of Edom did on the day Jerusalem fell. ‘Tear it down!’ they cried. ‘Tear it down to the ground!’ 8 People of Babylon, you are sentenced to be destroyed. Happy is the person who pays you back according to what you have done to us. 9 Happy is the person who grabs your babies and smashes them against the rocks. 

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Psalm 137

English Standard Version



1 By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. 2 On the willows[1] there we hung up our lyres. 3 For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” 4 How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? (Ne 2:3) 5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! (Ps 76:5) 6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy! (Job 29:10; Eze 3:26) 7 Remember, O Lord, against the Edomites the day of Jerusalem, how they said, “Lay it bare, lay it bare, down to its foundations!” (Job 18:20; Isa 34:5; Jer 49:7; La 4:21; Eze 25:12; Eze 35:2; Am 1:11; Ob 1:8; Hab 3:13; Zep 2:14) 8 O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed, blessed shall he be who repays you with what you have done to us! (Ps 28:4; Isa 13:1; Isa 21:9; Isa 47:1; Jer 25:12; Jer 50:1; Jer 51:1; Jer 51:24; Jer 51:56) 9 Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock! (2Ki 8:12; Isa 13:16; Ho 10:14; Na 3:10) 

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The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.