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Psalms

A collection of songs and prayers expressing a wide range of emotions and thoughts on faith.

Chapter 137

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

*At the rivers of Babylon, we sat and cried remembering Zion.

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

*We hung our musical instruments near the trees, right in the middle of that place.

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.

*They wanted us to sing a song when they took us as prisoners, and those who destroyed our homes also demanded joyful music, asking for a Zion song.

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

*How can we sing for the Lord in a new place?

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

*If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand lose its skill.

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.

*If I forget you, may my tongue stick to the top of my mouth; if I don't choose Jerusalem as more important than my greatest happiness.

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

*Remember, God, the descendants of Edom when you save Jerusalem; they said, "Destroy it, destroy it, right down to its foundations."

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

*Dear girl from Babylon, about to be destroyed, the one who helps us will be happy.

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

*Happy is the person who takes your children and smashes them against rocks.

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* work in progress, there will be mistakes

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