Psalmorum 137

1 Psalmus David, propter Hieremiam. Super flumina Babylonis, illic sedimus et flevimus: cum recordaremur Sion:

For David, [a Psalm] of Jeremias. By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat; and wept when we remembered Sion.

2 In salicibus in medio eius, suspendimus organa nostra.

We hung our harps on the willows in the midst of it.

3 Quia illic interrogaverunt nos, qui captivos duxerunt nos, verba cantionum: Et qui abduxerunt nos: Hymnum cantate nobis de canticis Sion.

For there they that had taken us captive asked of us the words of a song; and they that had carried us away [asked] a hymn, [saying], Sing us [one] of the songs of Sion.

4 Quomodo cantabimus canticum Domini in terra aliena?

How should we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?

5 Si oblitus fuero tui Ierusalem, oblivioni detur dextera mea.

If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget [its skill].

6 Adhaereat lingua mea faucibus meis, si non meminero tui: Si non proposuero Ierusalem, in principio laetitiae meae.

May my tongue cleave to my throat, if I do not remember thee; if I do not prefer Jerusalem as the chief of my joy.

7 Memor esto Domine filiorum Edom, in die Ierusalem: Qui dicunt: Exinanite, exinanite usque ad fundamentum in ea.

Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase [it], rase [it], even to its foundations.

8 Filia Babylonis misera: beatus, qui retribuet tibi retributionem tuam, quam retribuisti nobis.

Wretched daughter of Babylon! blessed [shall he be] who shall reward thee as thou hast rewarded us.

9 Beatus, qui tenebit, et allidet parvulos suos ad petram.

Blessed [shall he be] who shall seize and dash thine infants against the rock.