Psalm 137 - Contemporary English Version Interconfessional Edition

A Prayer for Revenge

¹ Beside the rivers of Babylon we thought about Jerusalem, and we sat down and cried.

² We hung our small harps on the willow trees.

³ Our enemies had brought us here as their prisoners; now they wanted us to sing and entertain them. They insulted us and shouted, “Sing about Zion!”

⁴ Here in a foreign land, how can we sing about the Lord?

⁵ Jerusalem, if I forget you, let my right hand go limp.

⁶ Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I don't think about you above all else.

⁷ Our Lord, punish the Edomites! On the day Jerusalem fell, they shouted, “Completely destroy the city! Tear down every building!”

⁸ Babylon, you are doomed! I pray the Lord's blessings on anyone who punishes you for what you did to us.

⁹ May the Lord bless everyone who beats your children against the rocks!