Psalm 137

¹Beside the rivers of Babylon, we sat and wept as we thought of Jerusalem. Hebrew Zion; also in 137:3. ² We put away our harps, hanging them on the branches of poplar trees. ³ For our captors demanded a song from us. Our tormentors insisted on a joyful hymn: “Sing us one of those songs of Jerusalem!” ⁴ But how can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a pagan land?

⁵If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget how to play the harp. ⁶ May my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I fail to remember you, if I don’t make Jerusalem my greatest joy.

⁷O LORD, remember what the Edomites did on the day the armies of Babylon captured Jerusalem. “Destroy it!” they yelled. “Level it to the ground!” ⁸ O Babylon, you will be destroyed. Happy is the one who pays you back for what you have done to us. ⁹ Happy is the one who takes your babies and smashes them against the rocks!