Psalms 137:4

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Psalms 137:4 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

How can we sing a song of the LORD in a foreign land?

King James Version KJV

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

American Standard Version ASV

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

Bible in Basic English BBE

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

Free Bible Version FBV

But how could we sing a song dedicated to the Lord in a pagan land?

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Howe shall we sing, said we, a song of the Lord in a strange land?

Young's Literal Translation YLT

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

World English Bible WEB

How can we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land?

Noah Webster Bible WBS

How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a foreign land?

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

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

Translation for Translators T4T

But we thought, “We are sad because we have been punished by Yahweh and brought to this foreign land, so we cannot [RHQ] sing songs about Yahweh while we are here!”

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Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 137:4

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Psalms 137:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB אֵ֗יךְ נָשִׁ֥יר אֶת שִׁיר יְהוָ֑ה עַ֝֗ל אַדְמַ֥ת נֵכָֽר

אֵ֗יךְ ʼêyk H349 how? Part

נָשִׁ֥יר shîyr H7891 to sing V-Qal-Imperf-1cp

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

שִׁיר shîyr H7892 song N-cs

יְהוָ֑ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper

עַ֝֗ל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

אַדְמַ֥ת ʼădâmâh H127 land N-fs

נֵכָֽר nêkâr H5236 foreign N-ms

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 137:4

אֵ֗יךְ ʼêyk H349 "how?" Part

In the Bible, this word means 'how' or 'where', like in Genesis when God asks Adam 'where are you'. It's also used to express surprise or excitement.

Definition: interrog adv how?

Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: how, what. See also: Genesis 26:9; Ecclesiastes 2:16; Psalms 11:1.

נָשִׁ֥יר shîyr H7891 "to sing" V-Qal-Imperf-1cp

This Hebrew word means to sing, and it is used in the Bible to describe the act of singing, like when the Israelites sang after crossing the Red Sea in Exodus 15. It can also refer to a singer or songstress. The Bible often mentions singing as a way to praise God.

Definition: 1) to sing 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sing 1a2) singer, songstresses (participle) 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to sing 1b2) singer, songstress (participle) 1c) (Hophal) to be sung

Usage: Occurs in 79 OT verses. KJV: behold (by mistake for H7789 (שׁוּר)), sing(-er, -ing man, -ing woman). See also: Exodus 15:1; Nehemiah 12:45; Psalms 7:1.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

שִׁיר shîyr H7892 "song" N-cs

This word refers to a song or singing, and it is used in the Bible to describe musical expressions of praise and worship, like the songs of David in the book of Psalms. It can also be used to describe a specific song or ode.

Definition: 1) song 1a) lyric song 1b) religious song 1c) song of Levitical choirs Also means: shi.rah (שִׁירָה "song" H7892B)

Usage: Occurs in 87 OT verses. KJV: musical(-ick), [idiom] sing(-er, -ing), song. See also: Genesis 31:27; Psalms 76:1; Psalms 18:1.

יְהוָ֑ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper

Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

עַ֝֗ל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)

Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

אַדְמַ֥ת ʼădâmâh H127 "land" N-fs

This Hebrew word refers to the earth or soil, often describing the ground as a source of sustenance. It is used to describe the physical earth, a plot of land, or even a whole country. The KJV translates it as 'country', 'earth', or 'land'.

Definition: : soil 1) ground, land 1a) ground (as general, tilled, yielding sustenance) 1b) piece of ground, a specific plot of land 1c) earth substance (for building or constructing) 1d) ground as earth's visible surface 1e) land, territory, country 1f) whole inhabited earth 1g) city in Naphtali

Usage: Occurs in 211 OT verses. KJV: country, earth, ground, husband(-man) (-ry), land. See also: Genesis 1:25; 1 Kings 8:40; Psalms 49:12.

נֵכָֽר nêkâr H5236 "foreign" N-ms

This word refers to something or someone foreign, including people, gods, or things. It can also describe heathendom or alien ideas. In the KJV, it is translated as alien or strange.

Definition: 1) foreign, alien, foreignness, that which is foreign 1a) foreignness, foreign gods 1b) alien, foreigner 1c) foreign (vanities)

Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: alien, strange ([phrase] -er). See also: Genesis 17:12; Nehemiah 13:30; Psalms 18:45.

Study Notes — Psalms 137:4

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Psalms 137:4 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 137:4
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 137:4
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 137:4
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 137:4
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 137:4
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 137:4
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 137:4
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 137:4
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 137:4
Sermons on Psalms 137:4

Context — By the Rivers of Babylon

2There on the willows we hung our harps, 3for there our captors requested a song; our tormentors demanded songs of joy: “Sing us a song of Zion.”

4How can we sing a song of the LORD in a foreign land?

5If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand cease to function. 6May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not exalt Jerusalem as my greatest joy!

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Amos 8:3	“In that day,” declares the Lord GOD, “the songs of the temple will turn to wailing. Many will be the corpses, strewn in silence everywhere!”
2	Hosea 9:4	They will not pour out wine offerings to the LORD, and their sacrifices will not please Him, but will be to them like the bread of mourners; all who eat will be defiled. For their bread will be for themselves; it will not enter the house of the LORD.
3	Isaiah 22:12	On that day the Lord GOD of Hosts called for weeping and wailing, for shaven heads and the wearing of sackcloth.
4	Lamentations 5:14–15	The elders have left the city gate; the young men have stopped their music. Joy has left our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning.
5	Ecclesiastes 3:4	a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
6	Isaiah 49:21	Then you will say in your heart, ‘Who has begotten these for me? I was bereaved and barren; I was exiled and rejected. So who has reared them? Look, I was left all alone, so where did they come from?’”

Psalms 137:4 Summary

This verse is asking how the Israelites can sing and worship God while they are in a foreign land, away from their home and the temple. It's like when we are going through a tough time and it's hard to feel happy or worshipful. But as seen in Psalms 42:1-2, we can still worship and praise God even when things are not going well, because our worship is not based on our circumstances, but on our love and trust in God. We can find comfort and strength in God's presence, just like the Israelites did, and use our circumstances to bring glory and praise to Him, as seen in Romans 8:28.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the context of Psalms 137:4 and why are the Israelites struggling to sing?

The Israelites are in exile, being held captive by their tormentors who are demanding they sing songs of joy, which is a difficult task for them as they are in a foreign land, far from Jerusalem and the temple, as seen in Psalms 137:2-3 and supported by Jeremiah 29:4-7.

How does this verse relate to the idea of worship and praise?

This verse highlights the challenge of worshiping and praising God in the midst of difficult circumstances, but as seen in Psalms 42:1-2 and Acts 16:25, worship can be a powerful expression of faith and hope even in the darkest of times.

What does it mean to 'sing a song of the LORD' in this context?

Singing a song of the LORD refers to worshiping and praising God, which is a fundamental aspect of the Israelites' faith, as seen in Exodus 15:1-21 and Psalms 100:1-5.

How can we apply this verse to our own lives when we are facing difficult circumstances?

We can apply this verse by remembering that our worship and praise are not dependent on our circumstances, but on our faith and trust in God, as seen in Habakkuk 3:17-19 and Romans 8:28.

Reflection Questions

What are the things in your life that make it difficult for you to sing a song of praise to God?
How can you, like the Israelites, find ways to worship and praise God even in the midst of challenging circumstances?
What role does faith and trust play in your ability to worship and praise God, even when things are not going well?
How can you use your circumstances, whether good or bad, to bring glory and praise to God?

Gill's Exposition on Psalms 137:4

How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?] This is the answer returned by the Jews to the above request or demand; it may be, particularly, by the Levites, whose business it was to sing

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 137:4

How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land? How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land? To do so would be virtually to renounce Zion, our native city and spiritual home.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 137:4

The Lord’ s song; those songs which were appointed by God, and to be sung only to his honour and in his service. In a strange land; when we are banished from our own temple and land, and amongst those who are strangers and enemies to God and to his worship. So we should prostitute and profane God’ s ordinances. And this answer they either expressed to their enemies, or kept in their own breasts when they refused to comply with their desire.

Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 137:4

Psalms 137:4 How shall we sing the LORD’ S song in a strange land? Ver. 4. Shall we sing the Lord’ s song? &c.] No; for that were to profane holy things; and as Nazianzen speaketh, κωμωδιανταμυστηρια. And besides, they had as much mind to be merry then, and thus, as Samson had to play before the Philistines. Music in mourning is not more unseasonable than unsavoury. When our Edward III had the king of Scots and the French king both prisoners together here in England, he held royal jousts, and feasted them sumptuously. After supper, perceiving the French king to be sad and pensive, he desired him to be merry as others were. To whom the French king answered, as here, How shall we sing in a strange land? Quid nobis cum fabulis, cum risu, saith Bernard, in hoc exilio, in hoc ergastulo in hac valle lachrymarum? Let us cast away carnal mirth, and groan earnestly to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven, 2 Corinthians 5:2.

Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 137:4

(4) Strange land.—The feeling expressed in this question is too natural to need any such explanation as that it was contrary to the Law to sing a sacred song in a strange land. Nehemiah’s answer (Nehemiah 2:2-3) offers a direct illustration. Of Jerusalem’s choir in Babylon it might truly be said: “Like strangers’ voices here they sound, In lands where not a memory strays. Nor landmark breathes of other days, But all is new unhallowed ground.” : In Mcmoriam.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 137:4

Verse 4. How shall we sing the Lord's song] איך נשיר eich! nashir; O, we sing! Who does not hear the deep sigh in the strongly guttural sound of the original איך eich! wrung, as it were, from the bottom of the heart? Can WE, in this state of slavery, - WE, exiles, from our country, - WE, stripped of all our property, - WE, reduced to contempt by our strong enemy, - WE, deprived of our religious privileges, - WE, insulted by our oppressors, - WE, in the land of heathens, - WE sing, or be mirthful in these circumstances? No: God does not expect it; man should not wish it; and it is base in our enemies to require it.

Cambridge Bible on Psalms 137:4

4–6. The exiles indignantly repudiate the idea of doing what would be treason to the memories of Zion. The protest is dramatically expressed in the words which they would have used at the time.

Barnes' Notes on Psalms 137:4

How shall we sing the Lord’s song - The song designed to celebrate his praise; that is, appropriate to the worship of Yahweh.

Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 137:4

4. The Lord’s song in a strange land—Jehovah’s song was the song that celebrated Him as king and in covenant with his people.

Sermons on Psalms 137:4

	Sermon	Description
	Don't Lose Your Song by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not losing one's song, referring to the joy and praise that comes from having a strong faith in God. The speaker reads from
	Such as I Have by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a consuming passion for Jesus Christ. He shares a story of a man who dedicates his life to teaching others about God
	The Overcomer by T. Austin-Sparks	T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the concept of 'overcomers' in the Christian faith, highlighting that God uses advance parties to secure His purpose and inheritance. He argues that the
	The Burden of the Valley of Vision by Chuck Smith	In this video, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the concept of the "Burden of the Valley of Vision" as mentioned in Isaiah 22. He explains that this burden refers to a prophecy of the
	Awake to Righteousness and Sin Not by Paris Reidhead	In this sermon, the speaker recounts the powerful preaching of Jimmy Stewart, accompanied by William Fetler as his interpreter. They traveled through Eastern Europe, spreading the
	In Time of War by Samuel Davies	Samuel Davies preaches a powerful sermon on the Valley of Vision, using the prophecy in Isaiah to warn about the impending danger faced by Jerusalem due to their sins and lack of r
	The Sin of Pride, Nimrod by Shane Idleman	Shane Idleman emphasizes the destructive nature of pride, identifying it as the root cause of many personal and relational issues, including conflicts in marriages and workplaces.