< Psalms 137 >

1 A Psalm of David: to Jeremiah. Above the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept, while we remembered Zion.
For David, [a Psalm] of Jeremias. By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat; and wept when we remembered Sion.
2 By the willow trees, in their midst, we hung up our instruments.
We hung our harps on the willows in the midst of it.
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 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.
4 How can we sing a song of the Lord in a foreign land?
How should we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?
5 If I ever forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten.
If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget [its skill].
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.
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.
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.”
Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase [it], rase [it], even to its foundations.
8 O daughter of Babylon, have pity. Blessed is he who will repay you with your payment, which you have paid to us.
Wretched daughter of Babylon! blessed [shall he be] who shall reward you as you have rewarded us.
9 Blessed is he who will take hold of your little ones and dash them against the rock.
Blessed [shall he be] who shall seize and dash your infants against the rock.

< Psalms 137 >