Add parallel Print Page Options

Israelites in Captivity

137 By the rivers in Babylon we sat and ·cried [wept; C during the Babylonian exile]
    when we remembered ·Jerusalem [L Zion; C the location of the Temple].
On the ·poplar [or willow] trees nearby
    we hung our harps.
·Those who captured us [Our captors] asked us to sing;
    our ·enemies [oppressors] wanted happy songs.
They said, “Sing us a song about ·Jerusalem [L Zion; C the location of the Temple]!”

Read full chapter

137 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.

Read full chapter

Longing for Zion in a Foreign Land

137 By the rivers of Babylon,
There we sat down, yea, we wept
When we remembered Zion.
We hung our harps
Upon the willows in the midst of it.
For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song,
And those who (A)plundered us requested mirth,
Saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”

Read full chapter