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137 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down.
    Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
On the willows in that land,
    we hung up our harps.
For there, those who led us captive asked us for songs.
    Those who tormented us demanded songs of joy:
    “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”
How can we sing Yahweh’s song in a foreign land?
If I forget you, Jerusalem,
    let my right hand forget its skill.
Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don’t remember you,
    if I don’t prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy.
Remember, Yahweh, against the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem,
    who said, “Raze it!
    Raze it even to its foundation!”
Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction,
    he will be happy who repays you,
    as you have done to us.
Happy shall he be,
    who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock.

Longing for Zion in a Foreign Land

137 By the rivers of Babylon,
There we sat down, yea, we wept
When we remembered Zion.
We hung our harps
Upon the willows in the midst of it.
For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song,
And those who (A)plundered us requested mirth,
Saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”

How shall we sing the Lord’s song
In a foreign land?
If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
Let my right hand forget its skill!
If I do not remember you,
Let my (B)tongue cling to the roof of my mouth—
If I do not exalt Jerusalem
Above my chief joy.

Remember, O Lord, against (C)the sons of Edom
The day of Jerusalem,
Who said, [a]“Raze it, raze it,
To its very foundation!”

O daughter of Babylon, (D)who are to be destroyed,
Happy the one (E)who repays you as you have served us!
Happy the one who takes and (F)dashes
Your little ones against the rock!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 137:7 Lit. Make bare