Psalms 137

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

By the rivers of Babylon we sat down and wept when we thought about Zion.

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

On the poplars there 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 [Mountain ridge, Marking]!”

There our captors required songs from us, and those who mocked us required us to be happy, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion.”

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

How could we sing a song about Yahweh in a foreign land?

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

If I ignore the memory of you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her skill.

6 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.

Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I think about you no more, if I do not prefer Jerusalem more than my greatest delights.

7 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!”

Call to mind, Yahweh, what the Edomites did on the day Jerusalem fell. They said, “Tear it down, tear it down to its foundations.”

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

Daughter of Babylon, soon to be destroyed— may the person be blessed, whoever pays you back for what you have done to us.

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

May the person be blessed, whoever takes and dashes your little ones against a rock.