Psalm 137
1 An den Wassern zu Babel saßen wir und weineten, wenn wir an Zion gedachten.
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].
2 Unsere Harfen hingen wir an die Weiden, die drinnen sind.
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].
3 Denn daselbst hießen uns singen, die uns gefangen hielten, und in unserm Heulen fröhlich sein: Lieber, singet uns ein Lied von Zion!
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!”
4 Wie sollten wir des HERRN Lied singen in fremden Landen?
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!”
5 Vergesse ich dein, Jerusalem, so werde meiner Rechten vergessen!
If I forget about Jerusalem [APO], Iet my right hand wither [with the result that I will be unable to play my harp]
6 Meine Zunge müsse an meinem Gaumen kleben, wo ich dein nicht gedenke, wo ich nicht lasse Jerusalem meine höchste Freude sein.
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.
7 HERR, gedenke der Kinder Edom am Tage Jerusalems, die da sagen: Rein ab, rein ab, bis auf ihren Boden!
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!”
8 Du verstörte Tochter Babel, wohl dem, der dir vergelte, wie du uns getan hast!
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;
9 Wohl dem, der deine jungen Kinder nimmt und zerschmettert sie an den Stein!
they will take your babies and completely smash them on the rocks.
