Psalm 137
1 An Babels Strömen, da saßen wir und weinten, wenn Zions wir 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 an die Weiden, die dort stehen, hängten wir unsre Harfen;
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 Lieder verlangten von uns dort unsre Zwingherrn, und unsre Peiniger hießen uns fröhlich sein: »Singt uns eins von euren Zionsliedern!«
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 singen die Lieder des HERRN auf fremdem Boden?
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 dich, Jerusalem, so verdorre mir die rechte Hand!
If I forget about Jerusalem [APO], Iet my right hand wither [with the result that I will be unable to play my harp]
6 Die Zunge bleibe mir am Gaumen kleben, wenn ich deiner nicht eingedenk bleibe, wenn ich Jerusalem nicht stelle über alles, was mir Freude macht!
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 Gedenke, HERR, den Söhnen Edoms den Unglückstag Jerusalems, wie sie riefen: »Reißt nieder, reißt nieder bis auf den Grund in ihm!«
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 Bewohnerschaft Babels, Verwüsterin! Heil dem, der dir vergilt dasselbe, was du an uns verübt!
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 Heil dem, der deine Kindlein packt und am Felsen sie zerschmettert!
they will take your babies and completely smash them on the rocks.
