< Psalms 137 >
1 Upon the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept: when we remembered Sion:
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
2 On the willows in the midst thereof we hung up our instruments.
We hung our harps upon the willows in the midst of it.
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 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 shall we sing the song of the Lord in a strange land?
How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a foreign land?
5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten.
If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget [her skill].
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 do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
7 Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom, in the day of Jerusalem: Who say: Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Raze [it], raze [it], [even] to its foundation.
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, who art to be destroyed; happy [shall he be], that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.
9 Blessed be he that shall take and dash thy little ones against the rock.
Happy [shall he be], that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.