< Psalms 137 >

1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
By the rivers of Babylon we were seated, weeping at the memory of Zion,
2 Upon the willows in the midst thereof we hanged up our harps.
Hanging our instruments of music on the trees by the waterside.
3 For there they that led us captive asked of us words of song, and our tormentors asked of us mirth: 'Sing us one of the songs of Zion.'
For there those who had taken us prisoners made request for a song; and those who had taken away all we had gave us orders to be glad, saying, Give us one of the songs of Zion.
4 How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a foreign land?
How may we give the Lord's song in a strange land?
5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.
If I keep not your memory, O Jerusalem, let not my right hand keep the memory of its art.
6 Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I remember thee not; if I set not Jerusalem above my chiefest joy.
If I let you go out of my thoughts, and if I do not put Jerusalem before my greatest joy, let my tongue be fixed to the roof of my mouth.
7 Remember, O LORD, against the children of Edom the day of Jerusalem; who said: 'Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.'
O Lord, keep in mind against the children of Edom the day of Jerusalem; how they said, Let it be uncovered, uncovered even to its base.
8 O daughter of Babylon, that art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that repayeth thee as thou hast served us.
O daughter of Babylon, whose fate is destruction; happy is the man who does to you what you have done to us.
9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the rock.
Happy is the man who takes your little ones, crushing them against the rocks.

< Psalms 137 >