< 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].
For David, [a Psalm] of Jeremias. By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat; and wept when we remembered Sion.
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].
We hung our harps on the willows in the midst of it.
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 they that had taken us captive asked of us the words of a song; and they that had carried us away [asked] a hymn, [saying], Sing us [one] of the songs of Sion.
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 should we sing the Lord's song in a strange 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, O 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.
May my tongue cleave to my throat, if I do not remember you; if I do not prefer Jerusalem as the chief of my 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, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase [it], rase [it], even to its foundations.
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;
Wretched daughter of Babylon! blessed [shall he be] who shall reward you as you have rewarded us.
9 they will take your babies and completely smash them on the rocks.
Blessed [shall he be] who shall seize and dash your infants against the rock.