Psalm 137-138
New Life Version
Israel in a Strange Land
137 We sat down and cried by the rivers of Babylon when we remembered Zion. 2 There upon the trees we put our harps. 3 For those who held us there made us sing. And those who made it hard for us asked for joy. They said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion.”
4 How can we sing the song of the Lord in a strange land? 5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget what it is able to do. 6 May my tongue hold to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not honor Jerusalem above my highest joy.
7 O Lord, remember what the sons of Edom did on the day Jerusalem fell. “Knock it down,” they said, “Knock it down to the ground.” 8 O daughter of Babylon, you who will be destroyed, how honored will be the one who pays you back for what you have done to us! 9 How honored will be the one who catches your children and throws them against the rock!
A Song of Praise
138 I will give You thanks with all my heart. I will sing praises to You in front of the gods. 2 I will bow down toward Your holy house. And I will give thanks to Your name for Your loving-kindness and Your truth. For You have honored Your Word because of what Your name is. 3 You answered me on the day I called. You gave me strength in my soul.
4 O Lord, all the kings of the earth will give thanks to You when they have heard the words of Your mouth. 5 And they will sing of the ways of the Lord. For the shining beauty of the Lord is great. 6 For even if the Lord is honored, He thinks about those who have no pride. But He knows the proud from far away. 7 Even if I walk into trouble, You will keep my life safe. You will put out Your hand against the anger of those who hate me. And Your right hand will save me. 8 The Lord will finish the work He started for me. O Lord, Your loving-kindness lasts forever. Do not turn away from the works of Your hands.
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