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

We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

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

For 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.

4 H ow should we sing a song of Jehovah's upon a foreign soil?

How shall we sing the Lord 's song in a strange land?

5 I f I forget thee, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget;

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

6 I f I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to my palate: if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

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

7 R emember, O Jehovah, against the sons of Edom, the day of Jerusalem; who said, Lay bare, Lay bare, down to its foundation!

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

8 D aughter of Babylon, who art to be laid waste, happy he that rendereth unto thee that which thou hast meted out to us.

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

9 H appy he that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the rock.

Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.