Salmenes 137

1 Ved Babylons elver, der satt vi og gråt når vi kom Sion i hu.

A Psalm of David: to Jeremiah. Above the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept, while we remembered Zion.

2 På vidjene der hengte vi våre harper;

By the willow trees, in their midst, we hung up our instruments.

3 for der krevde våre fangevoktere sanger av oss, våre plagere at vi skulde være glade: Syng for oss av Sions sanger!

For, in that place, those who led us into captivity questioned us about the words of the songs. And those who carried us away said: “Sing us a hymn from the songs of Zion.”

4 Hvorledes skulde vi synge Herrens sang på fremmed jord?

How can we sing a song of the Lord in a foreign land?

5 Glemmer jeg dig, Jerusalem, da glemme mig min høire hånd!

If I ever forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten.

6 Min tunge henge fast ved min gane om jeg ikke kommer dig i hu, om jeg ikke setter Jerusalem over min høieste glede!

May my tongue adhere to my jaws, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem first, as the beginning of my joy.

7 Kom Jerusalems dag i hu, Herre, så du straffer Edoms barn, dem som sa: Riv ned, riv ned, like til grunnen i den!

O Lord, call to mind the sons of Edom, in the day of Jerusalem, who say: “Despoil it, despoil it, even to its foundation.”

8 Babels datter, du ødelagte! Lykksalig er den som gir dig gjengjeld for den gjerning du gjorde mot oss.

O daughter of Babylon, have pity. Blessed is he who will repay you with your payment, which you have paid to us.

9 Lykksalig er den som griper og knuser dine spede barn imot klippen.

Blessed is he who will take hold of your little ones and dash them against the rock.