Psalms 137

1 By the riuers of Babel we sate, and there wee wept, when we remembred Zion.

By rivers of Babylon—There we sat, Indeed, we wept when we remembered Zion.

2 Wee hanged our harpes vpon the willowes in the middes thereof.

We hung our harps on willows in its midst.

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 there our captors asked us the words of a song, And our spoilers—joy: “Sing to us of a song of Zion.”

4 Howe shall we sing, said we, a song of the Lord in a strange land?

How do we sing the song of YHWH, On the land of a stranger?

5 If I forget thee, O Ierusalem, let my right hand forget to play.

If I forget you, O Jerusalem, my right hand forgets!

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.

My tongue cleaves to my palate, If I do not remember you, If I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.

7 Remember the children of Edom, O Lord, in the day of Ierusalem, which saide, Rase it, rase it to the foundation thereof.

Remember, YHWH, for the sons of Edom, The day of Jerusalem, Those saying, “Raze, raze 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, O destroyed one, O the blessedness of him who repays to you your deed, That you have done to us.

9 Blessed shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy children against the stones.

O the blessedness of him who seizes, and has dashed your sucklings on the rock!