Psalm 137-138

New International Version

Psalm 137

¹By the rivers of Babylon^(A) we sat and wept^(B)
    when we remembered Zion.^(C)
²There on the poplars^(D)
    we hung our harps,^(E)
³for there our captors^(F) asked us for songs,
    our tormentors demanded^(G) songs of joy;
    they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”^(H)

⁴How can we sing the songs of the Lord^(I)
    while in a foreign land?
⁵If I forget you,^(J) Jerusalem,
    may my right hand forget its skill.
⁶May my tongue cling to the roof^(K) of my mouth
    if I do not remember^(L) you,
if I do not consider Jerusalem^(M)
    my highest joy.

⁷Remember, Lord, what the Edomites^(N) did
    on the day Jerusalem fell.^(O)
“Tear it down,” they cried,
    “tear it down to its foundations!”^(P)
⁸Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction,^(Q)
    happy is the one who repays you
    according to what you have done to us.
⁹Happy is the one who seizes your infants
    and dashes them^(R) against the rocks.

Psalm 138

Of David.

¹I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
    before the “gods”^(S) I will sing^(T) your praise.
²I will bow down toward your holy temple^(U)
    and will praise your name^(V)
    for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,^(W)
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
    that it surpasses your fame.^(X)
³When I called,^(Y) you answered me;^(Z)
    you greatly emboldened^(AA) me.

⁴May all the kings of the earth^(AB) praise you, Lord,
when they hear what you have decreed.
⁵May they sing^(AC) of the ways of the Lord,
for the glory of the Lord^(AD) is great.

⁶Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;^(AE)
    though lofty, he sees them^(AF) from afar.
⁷Though I walk^(AG) in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve my life.^(AH)
You stretch out your hand^(AI) against the anger of my foes;^(AJ)
    with your right hand^(AK) you save me.^(AL)
⁸The Lord will vindicate^(AM) me;
    your love, Lord, endures forever^(AN)—
    do not abandon^(AO) the works of your hands.^(AP)