Psalms 137:4

What does Psalms 137:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Psalms 137:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

How shall we sing Jehovah’s song In a foreign land?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

How shall we sing Jehovah’s song In a foreign land?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

How may we give the Lord's song in a strange land?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

How do we sing the song of Jehovah, On the land of a stranger?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

May all the kings of the earth give glory to thee: for they have heard all the words of thy mouth.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

How should we sing a song of Jehovah's upon a foreign soil?

Context

v.3For 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.

v.4This passage

v.5If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget her skill.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 49:21

    Then shalt thou say in thy heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have been bereaved of my children, and am solitary, an exile, and wandering to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where were they?

  • Isaiah 22:12

    And in that day did the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:

  • Hosea 9:4

    They shall not pour out wine-offerings to Jehovah, neither shall they be pleasing unto him: their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners; all that eat thereof shall be polluted; for their bread shall be for their appetite; it shall not come into the house of Jehovah.

  • Ecclesiastes 3:4

    a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

  • Amos 8:3

    And the songs of the temple shall be wailings in that day, saith the Lord Jehovah: the dead bodies shall be many; in every place shall they cast them forth with silence.

  • Lamentations 5:14

    The elders have ceased from the gate, The young men from their music.

Related questions readers ask

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Psalms 137:4.