Psalms 137

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

By rivers of Babylon—There we sat, Indeed, we wept when we remembered Zion.

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

We hung our harps on willows in its midst.

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 our captors asked us the words of a song, And our spoilers—joy: “Sing to us of a song of Zion.”

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

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

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

If I forget you, O Jerusalem, my right hand forgets!

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.

My tongue cleaves to my palate, If I do not remember you, If I do not exalt 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, YHWH, for the sons of Edom, The day of Jerusalem, Those saying, “Raze, raze 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.

O daughter of Babylon, O destroyed one, O the blessedness of him who repays to you your deed, That you have done to us.

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

O the blessedness of him who seizes, and has dashed your sucklings on the rock!