October 15 – Psalms 137 and 138 from the Old Testament

Psalms 137 and 138 – Psalm 137

137:1 By the rivers of Babylon

we sit down and weep

when we remember Zion.

137:2 On the poplars in her midst

we hang our harps,

137:3 for there our captors ask us to compose songs;

those who mock us demand that we be happy, saying:

“Sing for us a song about Zion!”

137:4 How can we sing a song to the Lord

in a foreign land?

137:5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem,

may my right hand be crippled!

137:6 May my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth,

if I do not remember you,

and do not give Jerusalem priority

over whatever gives me the most joy.

137:7 Remember, O Lord, what the Edomites did

on the day Jerusalem fell.

They said, “Tear it down, tear it down,

right to its very foundation!”

137:8 O daughter Babylon, soon to be devastated!

How blessed will be the one who repays you

for what you dished out to us!

137:9 How blessed will be the one who grabs your babies

and smashes them on a rock!

Psalm 138

By David.

138:1 I will give you thanks with all my heart;

before the heavenly assembly I will sing praises to you.

138:2 I will bow down toward your holy temple,

and give thanks to your name,

because of your loyal love and faithfulness,

for you have exalted your promise above the entire sky.

138:3 When I cried out for help, you answered me.

You made me bold and energized me.

138:4 Let all the kings of the earth give thanks to you, O Lord,

when they hear the words you speak.

138:5 Let them sing about the Lord’s deeds,

for the Lord’s splendor is magnificent.

138:6 Though the Lord is exalted, he takes note of the lowly,

and recognizes the proud from far away.

138:7 Even when I must walk in the midst of danger, you revive me.

You oppose my angry enemies,

and your right hand delivers me.

138:8 The Lord avenges me.

O Lord, your loyal love endures.

Do not abandon those whom you have made!