Super flumina Babylonis (psalm 137)

Jules Van Nuffel, opus 25

Super flumina Babylonis illic sedimus et flevimus,
cum recordaremur Sion.
In salicibus in medio ejus
suspendimus organa nostra:
quia illic interrogaverunt nos, qui captivos duxerunt nos,
verba cantionum;
et qui abduxerunt nos:
Hymnum cantate nobis de canticis Sion.
Quomodo cantabimus canticum Domini
in terra aliena?
Si oblitus fuero tui, Jerusalem,
oblivioni detur dextera mea.
Adhæreat lingua mea in faucibus meis,
si non meminero tui;
si non proposuero Jerusalem
in principio lætitiæ meæ.
Memor esto, Domine, filiorum Edom,
in die Jerusalem:
qui dicunt: Exinanite, exinanite
usque ad fundamentum in ea.
Filia Babylonis misera! beatus qui retribuet tibi
retributionem tuam quam retribuisti nobis.
Beatus qui tenebit,
et allidet parvulos tuos ad petram.
Super flumina Babylonis illic sedimus et flevimus.

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Upon the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept: when we remembered Sion:
On the willows in the midst thereof we hung up our instruments.
For there they that led us into captivity required of us the words of songs. And they that carried us away, said: Sing to us a hymn of the songs of Sion.
How shall we sing the song of the Lord in a strange land?
If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten.
Let my tongue cleave to my jaws, if I do not remember you: If I make not Jerusalem the beginning of my joy.
Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom, in the day of Jerusalem: Who say: Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
O daughter of Babylon, miserable: blessed shall he be who shall repay you your payment which you have paid us.
Blessed be he that shall take and dash your little ones against the rock.


(© 2009 by Kevin Knight. Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.)

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