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Psalms137

Psalms 137 opens with the poignant lament of Israelite captives by the rivers of Babylon, weeping as they remember Zion and refusing to sing sacred songs in a foreign land. They express unwavering loyalty to Jerusalem, vowing to prefer it above their chief joy. The psalm concludes with a fervent plea for divine retribution against Edom for its role in Jerusalem's downfall and a stark imprecation against Babylon, anticipating its violent destruction.

Sorrow and Silence in Babylonian Exile

1
By the riuers of Babel we sate, and there wee wept, when we remembred Zion.
2
Wee hanged our harpes vpon the willowes in the middes thereof.
3
Then they that ledde vs captiues, required of vs songs and mirth, when wee had hanged vp our harpes, saying, Sing vs one of the songs of Zion.
4
Howe shall we sing, said we, a song of the Lord in a strange land?

An Oath of Undying Loyalty to Zion

5
If I forget thee, O Ierusalem, let my right hand forget to play.
6
If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleaue to the roofe of my mouth: yea, if I preferre not Ierusalem to my chiefe ioy.

A Prayer for Vengeance and Justice

7
Remember the children of Edom, O Lord, in the day of Ierusalem, which saide, Rase it, rase it to the foundation thereof.
8
O daughter of Babel, worthy to be destroyed, blessed shall he be that rewardeth thee, as thou hast serued vs.
9
Blessed shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy children against the stones.
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