The Prophet describeth how lamentably the people in captivity of Babylon, will bewail the want of means to serve God, and of their native soil: 7. with just desire of their enemies' punishment.The Prophet describeth how lamentably the people in captiuitie of Babylon, wil bewaile the want of meanes to serue God, and of their natiue soyle : 7. with iust desire of their enimies punishment.✦

A Psalm of David for Jeremy. Upon the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept: whiles we remembered Sion.A Psalm of David for Jeremy. Upon the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept: whiles we remembered Sion.A Psalme of Dauid ^afor Ieremie. VPON the riuers ^bof Babylon, there we ^csate and wept: whiles we ^dremembred Sion.Psalmus David, Jeremiæ. Super flumina Babylonis illic sedimus et flevimus, cum recordaremur Sion.

1609 marginThe Jews lamentation in captivity. the 4. key.The Iewes lamentation in captiuitie. the 4. key.Jeremy. By adding to this title [for Jeremy] the Septuagint Interpreters signify that this Psalm treateth of the same captivity, in which Jeremias wrote his Lamentations.a By adding to this title [ for Ieremie ] the Septuagint Interpreters signifie that this Psalme treateth of the same captiuitie, in which Ieremias writte his Lamentations.b Near the rivers in Chaldea ; whereof Babylon was the head city, c the Jews remained mourning, d remembering the holy rites and service of God, which had been in Sion, whereof they were deprived in the captivity.b Nere the riuers in Chaldea ; wherof Babylon was the head citie, c the Iewes remained mourning, d remembring the holie rites and seruice of God, which had bene in Sion, wherof they were depriued in the captiuitie.Jeremy. By adding to this title [for Jeremy] the Septuagint Interpreters signify that this Psalm treateth of the same captivity, in which Jeremias wrote his Lamentations. · Babylon. Near the rivers in Chaldea; whereof Babylon was the head city, · sat. the Jews remained mourning, · remembered. remembering the holy rites and service of God, which had been in Sion, whereof they were deprived in the captivity.The Iewes lamentation in captiuitie. the 4. key. · a By adding to this title [ for Ieremie ] the Septuagint Interpreters signifie that this Psalme treateth of the same captiuitie, in which Ieremias writte his Lamentations. · b Nere the riuers in Chaldea; wherof Babylon was the head citie, c the Iewes remained mourning, d remembring the holie rites and seruice of God, which had bene in Sion, wherof they were depriued in the captiuitie.

2On the willows in the midst thereof, we hanged up our instruments.On the willows in the midst thereof, we hanged up our instruments.On the willowes in the middes therof, we hanged vp ^eour instrumentes.In salicibus in medio ejus suspendimus organa nostra :

3Because there they that led us captive, demanded of us words of songs. And they that led us away: Sing ye an hymn to us of the songs of Sion.Because there they that led us captive, demanded of us words of songs. And they that led us away: Sing ye an hymn to us of the songs of Sion.Because there they that led vs captiue, ^fdemanded of vs wordes of songes. And they that led vs away: Sing ye an hymne to vs of the songes of Sion.quia illic interrogaverunt nos, qui captivos duxerunt nos, verba cantionum ; et qui abduxerunt nos : Hymnum cantate nobis de canticis Sion.

4How shall we sing the song of our Lord in a strange land?How shall we sing the song of our Lord in a strange land?^gHow shal we sing the song of our Lord in a strange land?Quomodo cantabimus canticum Domini in terra aliena ?

5If I shall forget thee O Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten.If I shall forget thee O Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten.^hIf I shal forget thee ô Ierusalem, let my right hand be forgotten.Si oblitus fuero tui, Jerusalem, oblivioni detur dextera mea.

6Let my tongue cleave to my jaws, if I do not remember thee: If I shall not set Jerusalem in the beginning of my joy.Let my tongue cleave to my jaws, if I do not remember thee: If I shall not set Jerusalem in the beginning of my joy.ⁱLet my tongue cleaue to my iawes, if I doe not remember thee: If I shal not set Ierusalem in the beginning of my ioy.Adhæreat lingua mea faucibus meis, si non meminero tui ; si non proposuero Jerusalem in principio lætitiæ meæ.

7Be mindful O Lord of the children of Edom, in the day of Jerusalem: That say: it, rase it, even unto the foundation thereof.Be mindful O Lord of the children of Edom, in the day of Jerusalem: That say: it, rase it, even unto the foundation thereof.Be mindful ô Lord of ^kthe childrem of Edom, in ^lthe day of Ierusalem: ^mThat say: Rase it, rase it, euen vnto the foundation therof.Memor esto, Domine, filiorum Edom, in die Jerusalem : qui dicunt : Exinanite, exinanite usque ad fundamentum in ea.

8Daughter of Babylon miserable: blessed is he, that shall repay thee thy payment, which thou hast paid us.Daughter of Babylon miserable: blessed is he, that shall repay thee thy payment, which thou hast paid us.ⁿDaugther of Babylon miserable: blessed is he, that shal repay thee thy payment, which thou hast payed vs.Filia Babylonis misera ! beatus qui retribuet tibi retributionem tuam quam retribuisti nobis.

9Blessed is he, that shall hold, and shall dash thy little ones against the rock.Blessed is he, that shall hold, and shall dash thy little ones against the rock.Blessed is he, ^othat shal hold, and ^pshal dash thy litle ones against the rocke.Beatus qui tenebit, et allidet parvulos tuos ad petram.

The reading text follows the 1582 first edition. Also available: Plantin Louvain (Latin).

St. Robert Bellarmine’s commentary on Psalms 136 — verse-by-verse exposition→

Chapter 136 of 150