< Psalms 137 >

1 For David, [a Psalm] of Jeremias. By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat; and wept when we remembered Sion.
By rivers of Babylon—There we sat, Indeed, we wept when we remembered Zion.
2 We hung our harps on the willows in the midst of it.
We hung our harps on willows in its midst.
3 For there they that had taken us captive asked of us the words of a song; and they that had carried us away [asked] a hymn, [saying], Sing us [one] of the songs of Sion.
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 should we sing 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 forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget [its skill].
If I forget you, O Jerusalem, my right hand forgets!
6 May my tongue cleave to my throat, if I do not remember you; if I do not prefer Jerusalem as the chief of my joy.
My tongue cleaves to my palate, If I do not remember you, If I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.
7 Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase [it], rase [it], even to its foundations.
Remember, YHWH, for the sons of Edom, The day of Jerusalem, Those saying, “Raze, raze to its foundation!”
8 Wretched daughter of Babylon! blessed [shall he be] who shall reward you as you have rewarded 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 Blessed [shall he be] who shall seize and dash your infants against the rock.
O the blessedness of him who seizes, and has dashed your sucklings on the rock!

< Psalms 137 >