< Psalmorum 137 >
1 Psalmus David, Jeremiæ. [Super flumina Babylonis illic sedimus et flevimus, cum recordaremur Sion.
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
2 In salicibus in medio ejus suspendimus organa nostra:
On the willows in that land, we hung up our harps.
3 quia illic interrogaverunt nos, qui captivos duxerunt nos, verba cantionum; et qui abduxerunt nos: Hymnum cantate nobis de canticis Sion.
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!”
4 Quomodo cantabimus canticum Domini in terra aliena?
How can we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land?
5 Si oblitus fuero tui, Jerusalem, oblivioni detur dextera mea.
If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill.
6 Adhæreat lingua mea faucibus meis, si non meminero tui; si non proposuero Jerusalem in principio lætitiæ meæ.
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.
7 Memor esto, Domine, filiorum Edom, in die Jerusalem: qui dicunt: Exinanite, exinanite usque ad fundamentum in ea.
Remember, LORD, against the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem, who said, “Raze it! Raze it even to its foundation!”
8 Filia Babylonis misera! beatus qui retribuet tibi retributionem tuam quam retribuisti nobis.
Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, he will be happy who repays you, as you have done to us.
9 Beatus qui tenebit, et allidet parvulos tuos ad petram.]
Happy shall he be, who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock.