Trinity Journal of Literary Translation
Psalm 136. Super flumina Babylonis
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trans. Bernard Mackey
A Psalm of David, in Jeremiah’s time.
Over the flowing waters of Babylon, there we have sat down and we have wept, when we used to call Sion to mind. 2
On the willows at interval there
we have suspended our musical instruments: 3
they have enquired of us there, who brought us into captivity,
for words of songs;
and they who have led us away:
produce for us a psalm of praise from the hymns of Sion. 4
In what manner can we produce monody of the Lord
within a land not our own? 5
If living I having forgotten you, Jerusalem,
may my right hand be delivered to oblivion. 6
May my speech cleave in my throat,
if I am not mindful of you; if I do not set Jerusalem
in the origin of my delight. 7
Be mindful, Lord, of the sons of Edom,
in the day of Jerusalem:
they who declare: desolate, desolate take it to its foundation. 8
Wretched daughter of Babylon! fortunate be the one who
shall give back recompense to you
in what manner you have given to us. 9
Fortunate be the one who shall hold fast
and strike your little ones against a rock.
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