1 By the rivers of Babylon we were seated, weeping at the memory of Zion,

2 Hanging our instruments of music on the trees by the waterside.

3 For there those who had taken us prisoners made request for a song; and those who had taken away all we had gave us orders to be glad, saying, Give us one of the songs of Zion.

4 How may we give the Lord's song in a strange land?

5 If I keep not your memory, O Jerusalem, let not my right hand keep the memory of its art.

6 If I let you go out of my thoughts, and if I do not put Jerusalem before my greatest joy, let my tongue be fixed to the roof of my mouth.

7 O Lord, keep in mind against the children of Edom the day of Jerusalem; how they said, Let it be uncovered, uncovered even to its base.

8 O daughter of Babylon, whose fate is destruction; happy is the man who does to you what you have done to us.

9 Happy is the man who takes your little ones, crushing them against the rocks.

1 Virtojen varsilla Babyloniassa me istuimme ja itkimme, kun muistimme Siionia.

2 Rannan pajuihin me ripustimme lyyramme.

4 Kuinka voisimme laulaa Herran lauluja vieraalla maalla?

5 Jerusalem, jos sinut unohdan, kadotkoon käteni voima!

6 Tarttukoon kieleni kitalakeen, ellen sinua muista, ellen pidä ylimpänä ilonani sinua, Jerusalem!

8 Ja sinä Babylon, tuhoon tuomittu nainen! Hyvin tekee se, joka sinulle kostaa sen minkä meille teit.

9 Hyvin tekee se, joka tarttuu lapsiisi ja lyö ne murskaksi kallioon!