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.

On the willows in that land, we hung up our harps.

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 led us captive asked us for songs. Those who tormented us demanded songs of joy: “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”

4 How shall we sing the song of the Lord in a strange land?

How can we sing Yahweh’s song in a foreign land?

5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten.

If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its 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.

Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don’t remember you, if I don’t prefer 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, Yahweh, against 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.

Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, he will be happy who repays you, as you have done to us.

9 Blessed be he that shall take and dash thy little ones against the rock.

Happy shall he be, who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock.