Psalms 137:3-5
Psalms 137:1-6 The Message (MSG)
Alongside Babylon’s rivers we sat on the banks; we cried and cried, remembering the good old days in Zion. Alongside the quaking aspens we stacked our unplayed harps; That’s where our captors demanded songs, sarcastic and mocking: “Sing us a happy Zion song!” Oh, how could we ever sing GOD’s song in this wasteland? If I ever forget you, Jerusalem, let my fingers wither and fall off like leaves. Let my tongue swell and turn black if I fail to remember you, If I fail, O dear Jerusalem, to honor you as my greatest.
Psalms 137:3-5 King James Version (KJV)
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. How shall we sing The LORD's song in a strange land? If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget her cunning.
Psalms 137:3-5 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
For there our captors demanded of us songs, And our tormentors mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion.” How can we sing the LORD’S song In a foreign land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, May my right hand forget her skill.
Psalms 137:3-5 New Century Version (NCV)
Those who captured us asked us to sing; our enemies wanted happy songs. They said, “Sing us a song about Jerusalem!” But we cannot sing songs about the LORD while we are in this foreign country! Jerusalem, if I forget you, let my right hand lose its skill.
Psalms 137:3-5 American Standard Version (ASV)
For there they that led us captive required of us songs, And they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How shall we sing Jehovah’s song In a foreign land? If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget her skill.
Psalms 137:3-5 New International Version (NIV)
for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a foreign land? If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill.
Psalms 137:3-5 New King James Version (NKJV)
For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song, And those who plundered us requested mirth, Saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How shall we sing the LORD’s song In a foreign land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget its skill!
Psalms 137:3-5 Amplified Bible (AMP)
For there they who took us captive demanded of us a song with words, And our tormentors [who made a mockery of us demanded] amusement, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion.” ¶How can we sing the LORD’S song In a strange and foreign land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget [her skill with the harp].
Psalms 137:3-5 New Living Translation (NLT)
For our captors demanded a song from us. Our tormentors insisted on a joyful hymn: “Sing us one of those songs of Jerusalem!” But how can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a pagan land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget how to play the harp.
Psalms 137:3-5 The Passion Translation (TPT)
Our captors tormented us, saying, “Make music for us and sing one of your happy Zion-songs!” But how could we sing the song of the Lord in this foreign wilderness? May my hands never make music again if I ever forget you, O Jerusalem.
Psalms 137:3-5 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)
For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill!