Psalms 137

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

By the rivers of Babylon we were seated, weeping at the memory of Zion,

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

Hanging our instruments of music on the trees by the waterside.

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 those who had taken us prisoners made request for a song; and those who had taken away all we had gave us orders to be glad, saying, Give us one of the songs of Zion.

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

How may we give the Lord's song in a strange land?

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

If I keep not your memory, O Jerusalem, let not my right hand keep the memory of its art.

6 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.

If I let you go out of my thoughts, and if I do not put Jerusalem before my greatest joy, let my tongue be fixed to the roof of my mouth.

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

O Lord, keep in mind against the children of Edom the day of Jerusalem; how they said, Let it be uncovered, uncovered even to its base.

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

O daughter of Babylon, whose fate is destruction; happy is the man who does to you what you have done to us.

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

Happy is the man who takes your little ones, crushing them against the rocks.