< Psalms 137 >
1 By the riuers of Babel we sate, and there wee wept, when we remembred Zion.
A Psalm of David: to Jeremiah. Above the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept, while we remembered Zion.
2 Wee hanged our harpes vpon the willowes in the middes thereof.
By the willow trees, in their midst, we hung up our instruments.
3 Then they that ledde vs captiues, required of vs songs and mirth, when wee had hanged vp our harpes, saying, Sing vs one of the songs of Zion.
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.”
4 Howe shall we sing, said we, a song of the Lord in a strange land?
How can we sing a song of the Lord in a foreign land?
5 If I forget thee, O Ierusalem, let my right hand forget to play.
If I ever forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten.
6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleaue to the roofe of my mouth: yea, if I preferre not Ierusalem to my chiefe ioy.
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.
7 Remember the children of Edom, O Lord, in the day of Ierusalem, which saide, Rase it, rase it to the foundation thereof.
O Lord, call to mind the sons of Edom, in the day of Jerusalem, who say: “Despoil it, despoil it, even to its foundation.”
8 O daughter of Babel, worthy to be destroyed, blessed shall he be that rewardeth thee, as thou hast serued vs.
O daughter of Babylon, have pity. Blessed is he who will repay you with your payment, which you have paid to us.
9 Blessed shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy children against the stones.
Blessed is he who will take hold of your little ones and dash them against the rock.