Psalm 137 – New International Reader’s Version NIRV

New International Reader’s Version

Psalm 137:1-9

Psalm 137

1We were sitting by the rivers of Babylon.

We wept when we remembered what had happened to Zion.

2On the nearby poplar trees

we hung up our harps.

3Those who held us as prisoners asked us to sing.

Those who enjoyed hurting us ordered us to sing joyful songs.

They said, “Sing one of the songs of Zion to us!”

4How can we sing the songs of the Lord

while we are in another land?

5Jerusalem, if I forget you,

may my right hand never be able to play the harp again.

6If I don’t remember you,

may my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth so I can’t sing.

May it happen if I don’t consider Jerusalem

to be my greatest joy.

7Lord, remember what the people of Edom did

on the day Jerusalem fell.

“Tear it down!” they cried.

“Tear it down to the ground!”

8People of Babylon, you are sentenced to be destroyed.

Happy is the person who pays you back

according to what you have done to us.

9Happy is the person who grabs your babies

and smashes them against the rocks.