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, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

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

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

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 carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.

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

How shall we sing Yhwh's song in a strange land?

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

If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.

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 do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief 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 Yhwh, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.

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, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.

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

Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.