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, yea, we wept When we remembered Zion.

2 U pon the willows in the midst thereof We hanged up our harps.

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

3 F or there they that led us captive required of us songs, And they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.

For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song, And those who plundered us requested mirth, Saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”

4 H ow shall we sing Jehovah's song In a foreign land?

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

5 I f I forget thee, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget her skill.

If I forget you, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget its skill!

6 L et my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, If I remember thee not; If I prefer not Jerusalem Above my chief joy.

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

7 R emember, O Jehovah, against the children of Edom 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, that art to be destroyed, Happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee As thou hast served us.

O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed, Happy the one who repays you as you have served us!

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

Happy the one who takes and dashes Your little ones against the rock!