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We Wept When We Remembered Zion

137 By the (A)rivers of Babylon,
There we sat and also (B)wept,
When we remembered Zion.
Upon the [a](C)willows in the midst of it
We (D)hung our lyres.
For there our captors (E)asked us about the words of a song,
And (F)our tormentors asked joyfully, saying,
“Sing for us one of the songs of Zion.”

How can we sing a song of (G)Yahweh
In a foreign land?
If I (H)forget you, O Jerusalem,
May my right hand [b]forget her skill.
May my (I)tongue cling to the roof of my mouth
If I do not remember you,
If I do not [c](J)exalt Jerusalem
Above my chief joy.

Remember, O Yahweh, against the sons of (K)Edom
The day of Jerusalem,
Who said, “Tear it down! Tear it down
(L)To its very foundation.”
O daughter of Babylon, you (M)devastated one,
How blessed will be the one who (N)repays you
With [d]the recompense with which you have recompensed us.
How blessed will be the one who seizes and (O)dashes your infants
Against the cliff.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 137:2 Or poplars
  2. Psalm 137:5 Become lame
  3. Psalm 137:6 Lit cause to ascend
  4. Psalm 137:8 Lit your

An Experience of the Captivity.

137 By the (A)rivers of Babylon,
There we sat down and (B)wept,
When we remembered Zion.
Upon the [a](C)willows in the midst of it
We (D)hung our [b]harps.
For there our captors [c](E)demanded of us [d]songs,
And (F)our tormentors mirth, saying,
“Sing us one of the songs of Zion.”

How can we sing (G)the Lord’s song
In a foreign land?
If I (H)forget you, O Jerusalem,
May my right hand [e]forget her skill.
May my (I)tongue cling to the roof of my mouth
If I do not remember you,
If I do not [f](J)exalt Jerusalem
Above my chief joy.

Remember, O Lord, against the sons of (K)Edom
The day of Jerusalem,
Who said, “Raze it, raze it
(L)To its very foundation.”
O daughter of Babylon, you [g](M)devastated one,
How blessed will be the one who (N)repays you
With [h]the recompense with which you have repaid us.
How blessed will be the one who seizes and (O)dashes your little ones
Against the rock.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 137:2 Or poplars
  2. Psalm 137:2 Lit lyres
  3. Psalm 137:3 Lit asked
  4. Psalm 137:3 Lit words of song
  5. Psalm 137:5 I.e. become lame
  6. Psalm 137:6 Lit cause to ascend
  7. Psalm 137:8 Or devastator
  8. Psalm 137:8 Lit your recompense