Psalmorum 137

1 David Hieremiae 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 eius 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 Hierusalem oblivioni detur dextera mea

If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill.

6 adhereat lingua mea faucibus meis si non meminero tui si non praeposuero Hierusalem in principio laetitiae meae

Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy.

7 memor esto Domine filiorum Edom diem Hierusalem 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 adlidet parvulos tuos ad petram

Happy shall he be, who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock.