Psalms 137

1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

Upon the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept: when we remembered Sion:

2 On the willows in that land, we hung up our harps.

On the willows in the midst thereof we hung up our instruments.

3 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!”

For there they that led us into captivity required of us the words of songs. And they that carried us away, said: Sing ye to us a hymn of the songs of Sion.

4 How can we sing Yahweh’s song in a foreign land?

How shall we sing the song of the Lord in a strange land?

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

If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten.

6 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.

Let my tongue cleave to my jaws, if I do not remember thee: If I make not Jerusalem the beginning of my joy.

7 Remember, Yahweh, against the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem, who said, “Raze it! Raze it even to its foundation!”

Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom, in the day of Jerusalem: Who say: Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.

8 Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, he will be happy who repays you, as you have done to us.

O daughter of Babylon, miserable: blessed shall he be who shall repay thee thy payment which thou hast paid us.

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

Blessed be he that shall take and dash thy little ones against the rock.