< Psalms 137 >
1 Upon the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept: when we remembered Sion:
By the rivers of Babylon we were seated, weeping at the memory of Zion,
2 On the willows in the midst thereof we hung up our instruments.
Hanging our instruments of music on the trees by the waterside.
3 For there they that led us into captivity required of us the words of songs. And they that carried us away, said: Sing ye to us a hymn of the songs of Sion.
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 shall we sing the song of the Lord in a strange land?
How may we give the Lord's song in a strange land?
5 If I forget thee, O 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 Let my tongue cleave to my jaws, if I do not remember thee: If I make not Jerusalem 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 Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom, in the day of Jerusalem: Who say: Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
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, miserable: blessed shall he be who shall repay thee thy payment which thou hast paid 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 be he that shall take and dash thy little ones against the rock.
Happy is the man who takes your little ones, crushing them against the rocks.