Psalm 136 verses 9-10

Destruction of Jerusalem
c1413 - 1415

In the previous verses of Psalm 136, the exiles gave a rather reluctant hymn of praise to Jerusalem, cursing themselves if they don't put the things of God above all else.  Here though they turn back to the memory of what was done to that city, and that fate of all those who seek to destroy the true and good.

9	V	Memor esto, Dómine, filiórum edom, * in die jerúsalem.
	NV	Memor esto, Domine, adversus filios Edom diei Ierusalem;
	JH	Memento, Domine, filiorum Edom in die Hierusalem;
		μνήσθητι κύριε τῶν υἱῶν Εδωμ τὴν ἡμέραν Ιερουσαλημ

Memor (mindful of) esto (be), Domine (O Lord), filiorum (of the sons) Edom, in die (in the day) Jerusalem

The Edomites were one of Israel's traditional foes - for their hostility at the time of the fall of Jerusalem see for example Ezekiel 25:14 &14: 35.

memor, oris  mindful of, thoughtful of; to remember, call to mind, think of, take thought for, recall, recount, etc.

dies, ei, m. and f fem.   a day, the natural day

DR	Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom, in the day of Jerusalem:
Cover	Remember the children of Edom, O Lord, in the day of Jerusalem
Brenton	Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem

'Remember' is an injunction to God, a call for justice to be done.  And indeed, where now are the Babylonians?

10	V	Qui dicunt: exinaníte, exinaníte * usque ad fundaméntum in ea.
	NV	qui dicebant: “ Exinanite, exinanite usque ad fundamentum in ea ”.
	JH	dicentium, Euacuate, euacuate usque ad fundamentum eius.
		τῶν λεγόντων ἐκκενοῦτε ἐκκενοῦτεἕως ὁ θεμέλιος ἐν αὐτῇ

qui (who) dicunt (they said): Exinanite (exterminate/destroy), exinanite usque (as far as) ad (to) fundamentum  the foundations) in ea (in it). 

exinanio ivi itum ire 1. to empty, exhaust 2. to rase, destroy, ruin utterly

usque, adv., to, up to, as far as; till, as far as; to express an extreme degree

fundamentum, i, n., that upon which anything is founded or stands, a foundation

DR	Who say: Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
Cover	how they said, Down with it, down with it, even to the ground.
Brenton	who said, Rase it, rase it, even to its foundations.

These foes of the city were not, it is clear, proponents of 'tolerance' in any sense: rather, we are reminded that however evil might dress itself up, it is utterly at odds with the heavenly city, for evil never 'tolerates' the good.

Psalm 136 – Super flumina

Vulgate	Douay-Rheims
Psalmus David, Jeremiæ
1 Super flúmina Babylónis, illic sédimus et flévimus: * cum recordarémur Sion:	Upon the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept: when we remembered Sion:
2  In salícibus in médio ejus, * suspéndimus órgana nostra.	2 On the willows in the midst thereof we hung up our instruments.
3  Quia illic interrogavérunt nos, qui captívos duxérunt nos, * verba cantiónum.	3 For there they that led us into captivity required of us the words of songs.
4  Et qui abduxérunt nos: * Hymnum cantáte nobis de cánticis Sion.	And they that carried us away, said: Sing to us a hymn of the songs of Sion.
5  Quómodo cantábimus cánticum Dómini * in terra aliéna?	4 How shall we sing the song of the Lord in a strange land?
6  Si oblítus fúero tui, Jerúsalem, * oblivióni detur déxtera mea.	5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten.
7  Adhæreat lingua mea fáucibus meis, * si non memínero tui.	6 Let my tongue cleave to my jaws, if I do not remember you:
8  Si non proposúero Jerúsalem, * in princípio lætítiæ meæ.	If I make not Jerusalem the beginning of my joy.
9  Memor esto, Dómine, filiórum Edom, * in die Jerúsalem.	7 Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom, in the day of Jerusalem:
10  Qui dicunt: Exinaníte, exinaníte * usque ad fundaméntum in ea.	Who say: Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
11  Fília Babylónis mísera: * beátus, qui retríbuet tibi retributiónem tuam, quam retribuísti nobis.	8 O daughter of Babylon, miserable: blessed shall he be who shall repay you your payment which you have paid us.
12  Beátus qui tenébit, * et allídet párvulos tuos ad petram.	9 Blessed be he that shall take and dash your little ones against the rock.

The next part of this series can be found here.