Psalms 137

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

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

2 On the willows in its midst, we hung up our harps.

There on the willows we hung our harps,

3 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."

for there our captors requested a song; our tormentors demanded songs of joy: “Sing us a song of Zion.”

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

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

5 If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten.

If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand cease to function.

6 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.

May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not exalt Jerusalem as my greatest joy!

7 Remember, LORD, against the descendants of Edom, the day of Jerusalem; who said, "Raze it. Raze it even to its foundation."

Remember, O LORD, the sons of Edom on the day Jerusalem fell: “Destroy it,” they said, “tear it down to its foundations!”

8 Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, he will be blessed who rewards you, as you have served us.

O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, blessed is he who repays you as you have done to us.

9 Blessed shall he be who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock.

Blessed is he who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.