Psalm 137

1 An den Strömen Babels, da saßen wir und weinten, indem wir Zions gedachten.

By the rivers of Babylon we were seated, weeping at the memory of Zion,

2 An den Weiden, die dort waren, hingen wir unsere Zithern auf.

Hanging our instruments of music on the trees by the waterside.

3 Denn dort begehrten, die uns gefangen geführt, Lieder von uns, und unsere Peiniger Fröhlichkeit: “Singt uns eines von den Zionsliedern!”

For there those who had taken us prisoners made request for a song; and those who had taken away all we had gave us orders to be glad, saying, Give us one of the songs of Zion.

4 Wie könnten wir die Jahwe-Lieder singen auf dem Boden der Fremde!

How may we give the Lord's song in a strange land?

5 Wenn ich deiner vergesse, Jerusalem, so schrumpfe meine Rechte ein.

If I keep not your memory, O Jerusalem, let not my right hand keep the memory of its art.

6 Es klebe meine Zunge an meinem Gaumen, wenn ich deiner nicht gedenke, wenn ich nicht lasse Jerusalem meine höchste Freude sein!

If I let you go out of my thoughts, and if I do not put Jerusalem before my greatest joy, let my tongue be fixed to the roof of my mouth.

7 Gedenke, Jahwe, den Edomitern, den Unglückstag Jerusalems, die da riefen: “Nieder damit, nieder damit bis auf den Grund in ihr!”

O Lord, keep in mind against the children of Edom the day of Jerusalem; how they said, Let it be uncovered, uncovered even to its base.

8 Tochter Babel, du Verwüsterin, wohl dem, der dir vergilt, was du uns angethan!

O daughter of Babylon, whose fate is destruction; happy is the man who does to you what you have done to us.

9 Wohl dem, der deine zarten Kinder packt und schmettert an den Felsen.

Happy is the man who takes your little ones, crushing them against the rocks.