1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down.

Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

2 On the willows in that land,

we hung up our harps.

3 For there, those who led us captive asked us for songs.

Those who tormented us demanded songs of joy:

"Sing us one of the songs of Zion!"

4 How can we sing Yahweh’s song in a foreign land?

5 If I forget you, Jerusalem,

let my right hand forget its skill.

6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don’t remember you,

if I don’t prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy.

7 Remember, Yahweh, against the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem,

who said, "Raze it!

Raze it even to its foundation!"

8 Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction,

he will be happy who repays you,

as you have done to us.

9 Happy shall he be,

who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock.

1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof;

3 when there, those that carried us away captive asked us for the words of the song; [with] our harps of joy [hung upon the willows saying], Sing us [one] of the songs of Zion.

4 How shall we sing the song of the LORD in [the] land of strangers?

5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, my right hand shall be forgotten.

6 If I do not remember thee, my tongue shall cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I do not prefer to lift up Jerusalem as my chief joy.

7 Remember, O LORD, the sons of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase [it], rase [it], [even] to the foundation thereof.

8 O daughter of Babylon, [who art to be] destroyed; happy [shall he be], that rewards thee as thou hast served us.

9 Happy [shall he be], that takes and dashes thy offspring against the stones.: