Font Size
Psalm 136-138
GOD’S WORD Translation
Psalm 136-138
GOD’S WORD Translation
136 Give thanks to the Lord because he is good,
because his mercy endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods
because his mercy endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords
because his mercy endures forever.
4 Give thanks to the only one who does miraculous things—
because his mercy endures forever.
5 to the one who made the heavens by his understanding—
because his mercy endures forever.
6 to the one who spread out the earth on the water—
because his mercy endures forever.
7 to the one who made the great lights—
because his mercy endures forever.
8 the sun to rule the day—
because his mercy endures forever.
9 the moon and stars to rule the night—
because his mercy endures forever.
10 Give thanks to the one who killed the firstborn males in Egypt—
because his mercy endures forever.
11 He brought Israel out from among them—
because his mercy endures forever.
12 with a mighty hand and a powerful arm—
because his mercy endures forever.
13 Give thanks to one who divided the Red Sea—
because his mercy endures forever.
14 He led Israel through the middle of it—
because his mercy endures forever.
15 He swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea—
because his mercy endures forever.
16 Give thanks to the one who led his people through the desert—
because his mercy endures forever.
17 Give thanks to the one who defeated powerful kings—
because his mercy endures forever.
18 He killed mighty kings—
because his mercy endures forever.
19 King Sihon of the Amorites—
because his mercy endures forever.
20 and King Og of Bashan—
because his mercy endures forever.
21 He gave their land as an inheritance—
because his mercy endures forever.
22 as an inheritance for his servant Israel—
because his mercy endures forever.
23 He remembered us when we were humiliated—
because his mercy endures forever.
24 He snatched us from the grasp of our enemies—
because his mercy endures forever.
25 He gives food to every living creature—
because his mercy endures forever.
26 Give thanks to the God of heaven
because his mercy endures forever.
137 By the rivers of Babylon, we sat down and cried
as we remembered Zion.
2 We hung our lyres on willow trees.
3 It was there that those who had captured us demanded that we sing.
Those who guarded us wanted us to entertain them.
⌞They said,⌟ “Sing a song from Zion for us!”
4 How could we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?
5 If I forget you, Jerusalem,
let my right hand forget ⌞how to play the lyre⌟.
6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth
if I don’t remember you,
if I don’t consider Jerusalem my highest joy.
7 O Lord, remember the people of Edom.
Remember what they did the day Jerusalem ⌞was captured⌟.
They said, “Tear it down! Tear it down to its foundation.”
8 You destructive people of Babylon,
blessed is the one who pays you back
with the same treatment you gave us.
9 Blessed is the one who grabs your little children
and smashes them against a rock.
By David.
138 I will give thanks to you with all my heart.
I will make music to praise you in front of the false gods.
2 I will bow toward your holy temple.
I will give thanks to your name because of your mercy and truth.
You have made your name and your promise greater than everything.
3 When I called, you answered me.
You made me bold by strengthening my soul.
4 All the kings of the earth will give thanks to you, O Lord,
because they have heard the promises you spoke.
5 They will sing this about the ways of the Lord:
“The Lord’s honor is great!”
6 Even though the Lord is high above, he sees humble people ⌞close up⌟,
and he recognizes arrogant people from a distance.
7 Even though I walk into the middle of trouble,
you guard my life against the anger of my enemies.
You stretch out your hand,
and your right hand saves me.
8 The Lord will do everything for me.
O Lord, your mercy endures forever.
Do not let go of what your hands have made.
Psalm 136-138
New International Version
Psalm 136-138
New International Version
Psalm 136
1 Give thanks(A) to the Lord, for he is good.(B)
His love endures forever.(C)
2 Give thanks(D) to the God of gods.(E)
His love endures forever.
3 Give thanks(F) to the Lord of lords:(G)
His love endures forever.
4 to him who alone does great wonders,(H)
His love endures forever.
5 who by his understanding(I) made the heavens,(J)
His love endures forever.
6 who spread out the earth(K) upon the waters,(L)
His love endures forever.
7 who made the great lights(M)—
His love endures forever.
8 the sun to govern(N) the day,
His love endures forever.
9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.
10 to him who struck down the firstborn(O) of Egypt
His love endures forever.
11 and brought Israel out(P) from among them
His love endures forever.
12 with a mighty hand(Q) and outstretched arm;(R)
His love endures forever.
13 to him who divided the Red Sea[a](S) asunder
His love endures forever.
14 and brought Israel through(T) the midst of it,
His love endures forever.
15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;(U)
His love endures forever.
16 to him who led his people through the wilderness;(V)
His love endures forever.
17 to him who struck down great kings,(W)
His love endures forever.
18 and killed mighty kings(X)—
His love endures forever.
19 Sihon king of the Amorites(Y)
His love endures forever.
20 and Og king of Bashan(Z)—
His love endures forever.
21 and gave their land(AA) as an inheritance,(AB)
His love endures forever.
22 an inheritance(AC) to his servant Israel.(AD)
His love endures forever.
23 He remembered us(AE) in our low estate
His love endures forever.
24 and freed us(AF) from our enemies.(AG)
His love endures forever.
25 He gives food(AH) to every creature.
His love endures forever.
Psalm 137
1 By the rivers of Babylon(AL) we sat and wept(AM)
when we remembered Zion.(AN)
2 There on the poplars(AO)
we hung our harps,(AP)
3 for there our captors(AQ) asked us for songs,
our tormentors demanded(AR) songs of joy;
they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”(AS)
4 How can we sing the songs of the Lord(AT)
while in a foreign land?
5 If I forget you,(AU) Jerusalem,
may my right hand forget its skill.
6 May my tongue cling to the roof(AV) of my mouth
if I do not remember(AW) you,
if I do not consider Jerusalem(AX)
my highest joy.
7 Remember, Lord, what the Edomites(AY) did
on the day Jerusalem fell.(AZ)
“Tear it down,” they cried,
“tear it down to its foundations!”(BA)
8 Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction,(BB)
happy is the one who repays you
according to what you have done to us.
9 Happy is the one who seizes your infants
and dashes them(BC) against the rocks.
Psalm 138
Of David.
1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
before the “gods”(BD) I will sing(BE) your praise.
2 I will bow down toward your holy temple(BF)
and will praise your name(BG)
for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,(BH)
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
that it surpasses your fame.(BI)
3 When I called,(BJ) you answered me;(BK)
you greatly emboldened(BL) me.
4 May all the kings of the earth(BM) praise you, Lord,
when they hear what you have decreed.
5 May they sing(BN) of the ways of the Lord,
for the glory of the Lord(BO) is great.
6 Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;(BP)
though lofty, he sees them(BQ) from afar.
7 Though I walk(BR) in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life.(BS)
You stretch out your hand(BT) against the anger of my foes;(BU)
with your right hand(BV) you save me.(BW)
8 The Lord will vindicate(BX) me;
your love, Lord, endures forever(BY)—
do not abandon(BZ) the works of your hands.(CA)
Footnotes
- Psalm 136:13 Or the Sea of Reeds; also in verse 15
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
Copyright © 1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God’s Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.