< Psalms 137 >
1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
By rivers of Babylon—There we sat, Indeed, we wept when we remembered Zion.
2 We hung our harps upon the willows in the midst of it.
We hung our harps on willows in its midst.
3 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us [required of us] mirth, [saying], Sing us [one] of the songs of Zion.
For there our captors asked us the words of a song, And our spoilers—joy: “Sing to us of a song of Zion.”
4 How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a foreign land?
How do we sing the song of YHWH, On the land of a stranger?
5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget [her skill].
If I forget you, O Jerusalem, my right hand forgets!
6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
My tongue cleaves to my palate, If I do not remember you, If I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.
7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Raze [it], raze [it], [even] to its foundation.
Remember, YHWH, for the sons of Edom, The day of Jerusalem, Those saying, “Raze, raze to its foundation!”
8 O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy [shall he be], that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.
O daughter of Babylon, O destroyed one, O the blessedness of him who repays to you your deed, That you have done to us.
9 Happy [shall he be], that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.
O the blessedness of him who seizes, and has dashed your sucklings on the rock!