Psalms 137

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[1]The constant affection of the Jews in captivity to their desolate country. [7]Edom and Babylon are cursed.

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

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

3. For 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.

4. How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land?

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

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

7. Remember, O LORD, the chil-dren of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.

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

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

Metrical version

Psalm 137

C.M. St. Mary

By Babel's streams we sat and wept,
when Zion we thought on.
In midst thereof we hanged our harps
the willow-trees upon.

For there a song required they,
who did us captive bring:
Our spoilers called for mirth, and said,
A song of Zion sing.

O how the LORD's song shall we sing
within a foreign land?
If thee, Jerus'lem, I forget,
skill part from my right hand.

My tongue to my mouth's roof let cleave,
if I do thee forget,
Jerusalem, and thee above
my chief joy do not set.

Remember Edom's children, LORD,
who in Jerus'lem's day,
Ev'n unto its foundation,
Raze, raze it quite, did say.

O daughter thou of Babylon,
near to destruction;
Bless'd shall he be that thee rewards,
as thou to us hast done.

Yea, happy surely shall he be
thy tender little ones
Who shall lay hold upon, and them
shall dash against the stones.