Psalms 137

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

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

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

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

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

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

How shall we sing the LORD’s song 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 forget [her cunning].

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 do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

7 Remember, LORD, 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 said, 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, who art to be destroyed; happy [shall he be], that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.

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

Happy [shall he be], that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.