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Psalms 137:4

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 137:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “How shall we sing Jehovah`s song In a foreign land?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

How shall we sing Jehovah`s song In a foreign land?
Psalms 137:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 137

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down, yea, we wept, When we remembered Zion.
2Upon the willows in the midst thereof We hanged up our harps.
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.
4How shall we sing Jehovah`s song In a foreign land?
5If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget [her skill].
6Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, If I remember thee not; If I prefer not Jerusalem Above my chief joy.
7Remember, O Jehovah, against the children of Edom The day of Jerusalem; Who said, Rase it, rase it, Even to the foundation thereof.
← Psalms 137:3Psalms 137:5 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“How shall we sing the Lord’s song - The song designed to celebrate his praise; that is, appropriate to the worship of Yahweh. In a strange land - Far from our home; far from the temple; exiles; captives: how can we find spirit in such circumstances to sing? How can we do that which would be indicative of what we do not feel, and cannot feel - joy and happiness! The idea is not that those psalms or songs would be profaned by being sung there, or that there would be anything improper in itself in singing them, but that it would be misplaced and incongruous to sing them in their circumstances. It would be doing violence to their own feelings; their feelings would not allow them to do it. There…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The Lord's - Those songs which were appointed by God to be sung only in his service. Psalms 137:6”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“How shall: Ecc 3:4; Isa 22:12; Lam 5:14, Lam 5:15; Hos 9:4; Amo 8:3 strange land: Heb. land of a stranger, Isa 49:21 Psalms 137:5”
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Related study paths

Read Psalms 137 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification