Psalm 137

By the rivers of Babylon(A) we sat and wept(B)
    when we remembered Zion.(C)
There on the poplars(D)
    we hung our harps,(E)
for there our captors(F) asked us for songs,
    our tormentors demanded(G) songs of joy;
    they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”(H)

How can we sing the songs of the Lord(I)
    while in a foreign land?
If I forget you,(J) Jerusalem,
    may my right hand forget its skill.
May my tongue cling to the roof(K) of my mouth
    if I do not remember(L) you,
if I do not consider Jerusalem(M)
    my highest joy.

Remember, Lord, what the Edomites(N) did
    on the day Jerusalem fell.(O)
“Tear it down,” they cried,
    “tear it down to its foundations!”(P)
Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction,(Q)
    happy is the one who repays you
    according to what you have done to us.
Happy is the one who seizes your infants
    and dashes them(R) against the rocks.

137 We sat by the rivers of Babel; and there we wept when we remembered Zion.

We hung our harps upon the willows, in the midst thereof.

Those who led us into captivity required songs and glee from us when we had hung up our harps, saying, “Sing us the songs of Zion!”

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

If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget,

if I do not remember you. Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not prefer Jerusalem to my chief joy.

Remember the children of Edom, O LORD, on the day of Jerusalem, who said, “Raze it! Raze it to the foundation thereof!”

O Daughter of Babel, worthy to be destroyed. Blessed is he who rewards you as you have served us.

Blessed is he who takes and dashes your children against the stones. A Psalm of David