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.

English Standard Version

How Shall We Sing the Lord’s Song?

1 By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. 2 On the willows* 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? 5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! 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! 7 Remember, O Lord, against the Edomites the day of Jerusalem, how they said, “Lay it bare, lay it bare, down to its foundations!” 8 O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed, blessed shall he be who repays you with what you have done to us! 9 Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock!

Psalm 137 | New International Reader’s Version English Standard Version

How Shall We Sing the Lord’s Song?