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;

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

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 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 the song of the LORD in the land of strangers?

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

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

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

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 ¶ 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 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 rewards 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 takes and dashes thy offspring against the stones.

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