Psalm 137 (WILLIAMSON)

By Babylon's great riverside we captive peoples sat and wept While over all our hearts the tide of Zion's memories had swept On weeping willows drooping low our silent joyless harps we hung Their strings were broken tuned with woe when with such awful grief they sung For there our captors asked for songs tormenting us they asked for praise Requiring songs that happy throngs on Zion had been known to raise But how can we in foreign land Jehovah's songs be made to sing? If I forget you let this hand lose all its skill upon the string If I do not remember you forget my songs let language cease If I should place another joy above my care for Zion's peace Remember Lord how they laid bare our home upon that dreadful day Though wicked Edom now seems fair her sons are doomed to pass away Remember Lord the dreadful day of our land's fall and bitter woe How happy he who shall repay the cruel hatred of her foe