Psalms 137

1By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down, yea, we wept, When we remembered Zion.

1We sat down by the rivers of Babylon and cried when we remembered Zion.

2Upon the willows in the midst thereof We hanged up our harps.

2We hung our harps on the willow trees there.

3For there they that led us captive required of us songs, And they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.

3For there, those who took us captive asked us to sing; those who tormented us demanded joyful songs, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”

4How shall we sing Jehovah’s song In a foreign land?

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

5If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget her skill.

5If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget how to play the harp.

6Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, If I remember thee not; If I prefer not Jerusalem Above my chief joy.

6Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, and if I do not value Jerusalem more than my greatest joy.

7Remember, O Jehovah, against the children of Edom The day of Jerusalem; Who said, Rase it, rase it, Even to the foundation thereof.

7Lord, remember what the people of Edom did on the day Jerusalem fell. They shouted, “Tear it down! Tear it down to its very foundations!”

8O daughter of Babylon, that art to be destroyed, Happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee As thou hast served us.

8O Babylon, you destroyer, happy is the one who pays you back for what you have done to us.

9Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones Against the rock.

9Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.