Psalms - Chapter 137

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

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

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

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

3 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.

3 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 shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land?

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

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

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

6 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.

6 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, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.

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

8 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, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.

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