Super fumina. Psal. cxxxvii.
WHen as we sat in Babylon
the rivers round about,
And in remembrance of Sion
the tears for grief burst out:
[verse 2] We hang'd our harps and instruments
the willow-trees upon:
For in that place men for their use
had planted many a one.
[verse 3] Then they to whom we prisoners were,
said to us tauntingly,
Now let us hear your Hebrew songs,
and pleasant melody.
[verse 4] Alas! said we, who can once frame
his sorrowful heart to sing
The praises of our loving God,
thus under a strange king?
[verse 5] But yet if I Jerusalem
out of my heart let slide:
Then let my singers quite forget
the warbling harp to guide.
[verse 6] And let my tongue within my mouth
be ty'd for ever fast,
If that I joy before I see
thy full deliverance past.
[verse 7] Therefore, O Lord, remember now
the cursed noise and cry
That Edoms sons against us made,
when they ras'd our city.
Remember, Lord, their cruel words,
when as with one accord
They cry'd, On, sack, and rase their walls,
in despight of their Lord.
[verse 8] Even so shalt thou, O Babylon,
at length to dust be brought:
And happy shall that man be call'd,
that our revenge hath wrought.
[verse 9] Yea, blessed shall that man be call'd,
that takes thy children young
To dash their bones against hard stones
that lie the streets among.