Psalms 137
1 When we [had been taken to] Babylonia, [far from Jerusalem], we sat down by the rivers there, and we cried when we thought about [the temple on] Zion [Hill in Jerusalem].
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
2 On the willow trees [alongside the rivers] we hung our harps [because we did not want to play them any more because we were very sad].
On the willows in that land, we hung up our harps.
3 The [soldiers] who had captured us [and taken us to Babylonia] told us to sing [for them]; they told us to (entertain them/make them happy), saying, “Sing for us one of the songs [that you previously sang in] Jerusalem!”
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 But [we thought], “We [are sad because we have been punished by Yahweh and brought to this] foreign land, so we cannot [RHQ] sing songs about Yahweh while we are here!”
How can we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land?
5 If I forget about Jerusalem [APO], Iet my right hand wither [with the result that I will be unable to play my harp]
If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill.
6 Do not allow me to sing again [MTY], if I forget about Jerusalem, if I do not consider that Jerusalem causes me to be more joyful than anything else does.
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 Yahweh, [punish] the people of the Edom people-group for what they did on the day that the army of Babylon captured Jerusalem. Do not forget that they said, “Tear down all the buildings! Destroy them completely! Leave only the foundations!”
Remember, LORD, against the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem, who said, “Raze it! Raze it even to its foundation!”
8 And you people of Babylon, you will certainly be destroyed! Those who punish you in return for what you did to us will be happy;
Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, he will be happy who repays you, as you have done to us.
9 they will take your babies and completely smash them on the rocks.
Happy shall he be, who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock.
