Psalms 137

1 For David, [a Psalm] of Jeremias. By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat; and wept when we remembered Sion.

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

2 We hung our harps on the willows in the midst of it.

On the willows in that land, we hung up our harps.

3 For there they that had taken us captive asked of us the words of a song; and they that had carried us away [asked] a hymn, [saying], Sing us [one] of the songs of Sion.

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 should we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?

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

5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget [its skill].

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

6 May my tongue cleave to my throat, if I do not remember you; if I do not prefer Jerusalem as the chief of my 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 Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase [it], rase [it], even to its foundations.

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

8 Wretched daughter of Babylon! blessed [shall he be] who shall reward you as you have rewarded us.

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

9 Blessed [shall he be] who shall seize and dash your infants against the rock.

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