Amahubo 137

1 Ngasemifuleni yaseBhabhiloni sahlala phansi sakhala lapho sasikhumbula iZiyoni.

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down; yea, we wept when we remembered Zion.

2 Khona lapho ezihlahleni zemidubu saphanyeka amachacho ethu,

We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

3 ngoba khonapho abathumbi bethu bacela izingoma kithi, labahlukuluzi bethu bafuna izingoma zentokozo; bathi, “Sihlabeleleni enye yezingoma zaseZiyoni!”

For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that made us wail [required] mirth, [saying, ] Sing us [one] of the songs of Zion.

4 Singazihlabela kanjani izingoma zikaThixo siselizweni lemzini na?

How should we sing a song of Jehovah's upon a foreign soil?

5 Aluba ngikukhohlwa, Oh Jerusalema, isandla sami sokunene kasilahlekelwe yibungcitshi baso.

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

6 Sengathi ulimi lwami lunganamathela elwangeni lomlomo wami uba ngingakukhumbuli wena, uba ngingathathi iJerusalema njengentokozo yami ephezu konke.

If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to my palate: if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

7 Khumbula, Oh Thixo, ama-Edomi akwenzayo mhla iJerusalema ithunjwa. “Lidilizeni,” baklabalala, “lidilizeni kanye lezisekelo zalo!”

Remember, O Jehovah, against the sons of Edom, the day of Jerusalem; who said, Lay [it] bare, Lay [it] bare, down to its foundation!

8 Wena Ndodakazi yaseBhabhiloni, oqunyelwe ukubhubha, ubusisiwe lowo okuphindiselayo ngalokho okwenzileyo kithi.

Daughter of Babylon, who art to be laid waste, happy he that rendereth unto thee that which thou hast meted out to us.

9 Ubusisiwe lowo othatha insane zakho, azisakazele ematsheni.

Happy he that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the rock.