1371 Alongside Babylon's rivers we sat on the banks; we cried and cried, remembering the good old days in Zion. 2 Alongside the quaking aspens we stacked our unplayed harps; 3 That's where our captors demanded songs, sarcastic and mocking: "Sing us a happy Zion song!" 4 Oh, how could we ever sing God's song in this wasteland? 5 If I ever forget you, Jerusalem, let my fingers wither and fall off like leaves. 6 Let my tongue swell and turn black if I fail to remember you, If I fail, O dear Jerusalem, to honor you as my greatest.
7 God, remember those Edomites, and remember the ruin of Jerusalem, That day they yelled out, "Wreck it, smash it to bits!" 8 And you, Babylonians - ravagers! A reward to whoever gets back at you for all you've done to us; 9 Yes, a reward to the one who grabs your babies and smashes their heads on the rocks!
31 God! Look! Enemies past counting! Enemies sprouting like mushrooms, 2 Mobs of them all around me, roaring their mockery: "Hah! No help for him from God!" 3 But you, God, shield me on all sides; You ground my feet, you lift my head high;
4 With all my might I shout up to God, His answers thunder from the holy mountain. 5 I stretch myself out. I sleep. Then I'm up again - rested, tall and steady, 6 Fearless before the enemy mobs Coming at me from all sides. 7 Up, God! My God, help me! Slap their faces, First this cheek, then the other, Your fist hard in their teeth! 8 Real help comes from God. Your blessing clothes your people!
