Psalm 137-138

Easy-to-Read Version

137 We sat by the rivers in Babylon
    and cried as we remembered Zion.
² We hung our harps nearby, there on the willow trees.^[a]
3 There in Babylon, those who captured us told us to sing.
    Our enemies told us to entertain them.
    They said, “Sing us one of your songs about Zion.”
⁴ But we cannot sing the Lord’s songs
    in a foreign country!
⁵ Jerusalem, if I ever forget you,
    may I never play a song again.
⁶ If I fail to remember you,
    may I never sing again.
I will always remember Jerusalem
    as my greatest joy!

⁷ Lord, be sure to punish the Edomites for what they did
    when Jerusalem was captured.
They shouted, “Destroy its buildings!
    Pull them down to the ground!”
⁸ Babylon, you will be destroyed!
    Bless the one who pays you back for what you did to us.
⁹ Bless the one who grabs your babies
    and smashes them against a rock.

⁴ Lord, all the kings on earth will praise you
    when they hear what you say.
⁵ They will sing about what the Lord has done,
    because the glory of the Lord is very great.
⁶ The Lord has the highest place above all others,
    but he still cares for the humble.
Even from there, so high above,
    he knows what the proud do.
⁷ If I am in trouble, you keep me alive.
    If my enemies are angry, you save me from them.
⁸ Lord, I know you will do what you have promised.
    Lord, your faithful love will last forever.
    You are the one who made us, so don’t leave us!