Psalms 137

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

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

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

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

3 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.”

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 a song of the Lord in a foreign land?

How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a strange land?

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

If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget [her cunning].

6 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.

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 O Lord, call to mind the sons of Edom, in the day of Jerusalem, who say: “Despoil it, despoil 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 O daughter of Babylon, have pity. Blessed is he who will repay you with your payment, which you have paid to us.

O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy [shall he be], that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.

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

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