1 ¶ By 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;

Upon the willows in the midst thereof We hanged up our harps.

3 w hen 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.

For 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.

4 H ow shall we sing the song of the LORD in the land of strangers?

How shall we sing Jehovah's song In a foreign land?

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

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

6 I f 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.

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

7 ¶ Remember, O LORD, the sons of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Raze it, raze it, even to the foundation thereof.

Remember, O Jehovah, against the children of Edom 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.

O daughter of Babylon, that art to be destroyed, Happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee As thou hast served us.

9 H appy shall he be, that takes and dashes thy offspring against the stones.

Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones Against the rock.