Psalms 137

1 By the rivers of Babylon we were seated, weeping at the memory of Zion,

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down; yea, we wept when we remembered Zion.

2 Hanging our instruments of music on the trees by the waterside.

We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

3 For there those who had taken us prisoners made request for a song; and those who had taken away all we had gave us orders to be glad, saying, Give us one of the songs of Zion.

For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that made us wail [required] mirth, [saying, ] Sing us [one] of the songs of Zion.

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

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

5 If I keep not your memory, O Jerusalem, let not my right hand keep the memory of its art.

If I forget thee, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget [its skill];

6 If I let you go out of my thoughts, and if I do not put Jerusalem before my greatest joy, let my tongue be fixed to the roof of my mouth.

If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to my palate: if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

7 O Lord, keep in mind against the children of Edom the day of Jerusalem; how they said, Let it be uncovered, uncovered even to its base.

Remember, O Jehovah, against the sons of Edom, the day of Jerusalem; who said, Lay [it] bare, Lay [it] bare, down to its foundation!

8 O daughter of Babylon, whose fate is destruction; happy is the man who does to you what you have done to us.

Daughter of Babylon, who art to be laid waste, happy he that rendereth unto thee that which thou hast meted out to us.

9 Happy is the man who takes your little ones, crushing them against the rocks.

Happy he that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the rock.