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 down. Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

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

On the willows in that land, 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, 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 How shall we sing YHWH 's song in a strange land?

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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