Psalms 137

1 When we sat down by the rivers of Babylon we wept as we remembered Zion.

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

2 We hung up our harps on the willow trees.

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

3 For those who had taken us captive asked us for a song—our tormentors wanted us to sing a happy song from Jerusalem.

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 But how could we sing a song dedicated to the Lord in a pagan land?

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

5 If I forget Jerusalem, may my right hand forget how to play;

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

6 May my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don't remember you—if I don't consider Jerusalem my greatest 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 Lord, please remember what the people of Edom did on the day Jerusalem fell, the ones who said “Tear it down! Destroy it down to its foundations!”

Remember, Yahweh, against the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem, who said, “Raze it! Raze it even to its foundation!”

8 Daughter of Babylon, you will be destroyed! Happy is the one who pays you back, who does to you what you did to us!

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

9 Happy is the one who grabs your children and smashes them against the rocks!

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