Psalm

An Experience of the Captivity.

137 
By the rivers of Babylon,

There we sat down and wept,

When we remembered Zion.

Upon the [a]willows in the midst of it

We hung our [b]harps.

For there our captors [c]demanded of us [d]songs,

And our tormentors, jubilation, saying,

“Sing for us one of the songs of Zion!”

How can we sing the Lord’s song

In a foreign land?

If I forget you, Jerusalem,

May my right hand [e]forget its skill.

May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth

If I do not remember you,

If I do not [f]exalt Jerusalem

Above my chief joy.

Remember, Lord, against the sons of Edom

The day of Jerusalem,

Those who said, “Lay it bare, lay it bare

To its foundation!”

Daughter of Babylon, you [g]devastated one,

Blessed will be one who repays you

With [h]the retribution with which you have repaid us.

Blessed will be one who seizes and dashes your children

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 useless
  6. Psalm 137:6 Lit cause to ascend
  7. Psalm 137:8 Or devastator
  8. Psalm 137:8 Lit your requital