Psalms 137

1Upon the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept: when we remembered Sion:

2On the willows in the midst thereof we hung up our instruments.

3For there they that led us into captivity required of us the words of songs. And they that carried us away, said: Sing ye to us a hymn of the songs of Sion.

4How shall we sing the song of the Lord in a strange land?

5If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten.

6Let my tongue cleave to my jaws, if I do not remember thee: If I make not Jerusalem the beginning of my joy.

7Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom, in the day of Jerusalem: Who say: Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.

8O daughter of Babylon, miserable: blessed shall he be who shall repay thee thy payment which thou hast paid us.

9Blessed be he that shall take and dash thy little ones against the rock.

1Psalmus David, Jeremiæ. [Super flumina Babylonis illic sedimus et flevimus, cum recordaremur Sion.

2In salicibus in medio ejus suspendimus organa nostra:

3quia illic interrogaverunt nos, qui captivos duxerunt nos, verba cantionum; et qui abduxerunt nos: Hymnum cantate nobis de canticis Sion.

4Quomodo cantabimus canticum Domini in terra aliena?

5Si oblitus fuero tui, Jerusalem, oblivioni detur dextera mea.

6Adhæreat lingua mea faucibus meis, si non meminero tui; si non proposuero Jerusalem in principio lætitiæ meæ.

7Memor esto, Domine, filiorum Edom, in die Jerusalem: qui dicunt: Exinanite, exinanite usque ad fundamentum in ea.

8Filia Babylonis misera ! beatus qui retribuet tibi retributionem tuam quam retribuisti nobis.

9Beatus qui tenebit, et allidet parvulos tuos ad petram.]

1A Psalm of David: to Jeremiah. Above the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept, while we remembered Zion.

2By the willow trees, in their midst, we hung up our instruments.

3For, in that place, those who led us into captivity questioned us about the words of the songs. And those who carried us away said: “Sing us a hymn from the songs of Zion.”

4How can we sing a song of the Lord in a foreign land?

5If I ever forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten.

6May my tongue adhere to my jaws, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem first, as the beginning of my joy.

7O Lord, call to mind the sons of Edom, in the day of Jerusalem, who say: “Despoil it, despoil it, even to its foundation.”

8O daughter of Babylon, have pity. Blessed is he who will repay you with your payment, which you have paid to us.

9Blessed is he who will take hold of your little ones and dash them against the rock.