Psalm 137
1 An den Strömen Babels saßen wir und weinten, wenn wir Zions 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 den Weiden, die dort sind, hängten wir unsre Harfen auf.
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 die uns daselbst gefangen hielten, forderten Lieder von uns, und unsre Peiniger, daß wir fröhlich seien: «Singet uns eines von den 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 des HERRN Lied singen 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 deiner, Jerusalem, so verdorre meine Rechte!
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, wenn ich deiner nicht gedenke, wenn ich Jerusalem nicht über meine höchste Freude setze!
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 Kindern Edoms den Tag Jerusalems, wie sie sprachen: «Zerstöret, zerstöret sie bis auf den Grund!»
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 Tochter Babel, du Verwüsterin! Wohl dem, der dir vergilt, was du uns angetan!
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 Kindlein nimmt und sie zerschmettert am Felsgestein!
they will take your babies and completely smash them on the rocks.
