Psalms 137

1 A Psalm of David: to Jeremiah. Above the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept, while we remembered Zion.

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

2 By the willow trees, in their midst, we hung up our instruments.

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

3 For, in that place, those who led us into captivity questioned us about the words of the songs. And those who carried us away said: “Sing us a hymn from the songs of Zion.”

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.

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

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

5 If I ever forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten.

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

6 May my tongue adhere to my jaws, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem first, as the beginning of my joy.

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.

7 O Lord, call to mind the sons of Edom, in the day of Jerusalem, who say: “Despoil it, despoil it, even to its foundation.”

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.

8 O daughter of Babylon, have pity. Blessed is he who will repay you with your payment, which you have paid to us.

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

9 Blessed is he who will take hold of your little ones and dash them against the rock.

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