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

By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down and wept, When we remembered Zion.

2 W e hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

Upon the willows in the midst of it We hung our harps.

3 F or there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.

For there our captors demanded of us songs, And our tormentors mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion.”

4 H ow shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?

How can we sing the Lord’s song In a foreign land?

5 I f I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.

If I forget you, O Jerusalem, May my right hand forget her skill.

6 I f I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth If I do not remember you, If I do not exalt Jerusalem Above my chief joy.

7 R emember, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.

Remember, O Lord, against the sons of Edom The day of Jerusalem, Who said, “Raze it, raze it To its very foundation.”

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

O daughter of Babylon, you devastated one, How blessed will be the one who repays you With the recompense with which you have repaid us.

9 H appy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.

How blessed will be the one who seizes and dashes your little ones Against the rock.