Psalms 137

1 By rivers of Babylon—There we sat, Indeed, we wept when we remembered Zion.

By the rivers of Babylon [Confusion], there we sat down. Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion [Mountain ridge, Marking].

2 We hung our harps on willows in its midst.

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

3 For there our captors asked us the words of a song, And our spoilers—joy: “Sing to us of a song 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 [Mountain ridge, Marking]!”

4 How do we sing the song of YHWH, On the land of a stranger?

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

5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, my right hand forgets!

If I forget you, Jerusalem [City of peace], let my right hand forget its skill.

6 My tongue cleaves to my palate, If I do not remember you, If I do not exalt 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 [City of peace] above my chief joy.

7 Remember, YHWH, for the sons of Edom, The day of Jerusalem, Those saying, “Raze, raze to its foundation!”

Remember, Adonai, against the children of Edom [Red], the day of Jerusalem [City of peace]; who said, “Raze it! Raze it even to its foundation!”

8 O daughter of Babylon, O destroyed one, O the blessedness of him who repays to you your deed, That you have done to us.

Daughter of Babylon [Confusion], doomed to destruction, he will be happy who rewards you, as you have served us.

9 O the blessedness of him who seizes, and has dashed your sucklings on the rock!

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