Psalm 137

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

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

3For 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.footnote afootnote b

4How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a strange land?footnote c

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

6If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.footnote d

7Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.footnote e

8O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.footnote ffootnote g

9Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.footnote h

By the Rivers of Babylon

1By the rivers of Babylon we sat and weptwhen we remembered Zion. 2There on the willowsfootnote awe hung our harps, 3for there our captors requested a song;our tormentors demanded songs of joy:“Sing us a song of Zion.”

4How can we sing a song of the LORDin a foreign land? 5If I forget you, O Jerusalem,may my right hand cease to function. 6May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouthif I do not remember you,if I do not exalt Jerusalemas my greatest joy!

7Remember, O LORD,the sons of Edom on the day Jerusalem fell:“Destroy it,” they said,“tear it down to its foundations!”

8O Daughter of Babylon,doomed to destruction,blessed is he who repays youas you have done to us. 9Blessed is he who seizes your infantsand dashes them against the rocks.