Psalms 137

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

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

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

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

3 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.

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 song of the Lord on the soil of the stranger?

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

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

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

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

Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy.

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

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 wasted: happy he, that repayeth thee thy recompense for what thou hast done to us.

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

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

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