Psalms 137

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

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat, and we also wept when we remembered Zion.

2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

Upon the willows in her midst had we hung up our harps.

3 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.

For there our captors demanded of us the words of song; and those that mocked us, joy, [saying, ] Sing for us one of the songs of Zion.

4 How shall we sing YHWH 's song in a strange land?

How should we sing the song of the Lord on the soil of the stranger?

5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.

If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget—.

6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

May my tongue cleave to my palate if I do not remember thee: if I recall not Jerusalem at the head of my joy.

7 Remember, O YHWH, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.

Remember, O Lord, unto the children of Edom the day of Jerusalem; who said, Raze it, raze it, even to her very foundation.

8 O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; joyful shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.

O daughter of Babylon, who art wasted: happy he, that repayeth thee thy recompense for what thou hast done to us.

9 Joyful shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.

Happy he, that seizeth and dasheth thy babes against the rock.