Psalms 137

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

When we sat down by the rivers of Babylon we wept as we remembered Zion.

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

We hung up our harps on the willow trees.

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 those who had taken us captive asked us for a song—our tormentors wanted us to sing a happy song from Jerusalem.

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

But how could we sing a song dedicated to the Lord in a pagan land?

5 If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill.

If I forget Jerusalem, may my right hand forget how to play;

6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don’t remember you, if I don’t prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy.

May my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don't remember you—if I don't consider Jerusalem my greatest joy.

7 Remember, Yahweh, against the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem, who said, “Raze it! Raze it even to its foundation!”

Lord, please remember what the people of Edom did on the day Jerusalem fell, the ones who said “Tear it down! Destroy it down to its foundations!”

8 Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, he will be happy who repays you, as you have done to us.

Daughter of Babylon, you will be destroyed! Happy is the one who pays you back, who does to you what you did to us!

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

Happy is the one who grabs your children and smashes them against the rocks!