Psalms 137:3
For there, those who led us captive asked us for songs. Those who tormented us demanded songs of joy: “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”
World English Bible Classic
In The King James Version
In Context
2On the willows in that land, we hung up our harps.
4How can we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land?
Cross References
1 Chronicles 15:27David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who bore the ark, the singers, and Chenaniah the choir master with the singers; and David had an ephod of linen on him.
Nehemiah 4:2He spoke before his brothers and the army of Samaria, and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, since they are burned?”
Psalms 65:1Praise waits for you, God, in Zion. Vows shall be performed to you.
Psalms 80:6You make us a source of contention to our neighbors. Our enemies laugh among themselves.
Proverbs 25:20As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Isaiah 51:11Those ransomed by the LORD will return, and come with singing to Zion. Everlasting joy shall be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy. Sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Matthew Henry on Psalms 137:2-7
The Sorrows of Captivity. 1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. 2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. 3 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. 4 How shall we sing the Lord 's song in a strange land? 5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. 6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof… Read the whole commentary →