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

We sat down and cried by the rivers of Babylon when we remembered Zion.

2 O n the willows in that land, we hung up our harps.

There upon the trees we put our harps.

3 F or there, those who led us captive asked us for songs. Those who tormented us demanded songs of joy: “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”

For those who held us there made us sing. And those who made it hard for us asked for joy. They said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion.”

4 H ow can we sing Yahweh’s song in a foreign land?

How can we sing the song of the Lord in a strange land?

5 I f I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill.

If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget what it is able to do.

6 L et my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don’t remember you; if I don’t prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy.

May my tongue hold to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not honor Jerusalem above my highest joy.

7 R emember, Yahweh, against the children of Edom, the day of Jerusalem; who said, “Raze it! Raze it even to its foundation!”

O Lord, remember what the sons of Edom did on the day Jerusalem fell. “Knock it down,” they said, “Knock it down to the ground.”

8 D aughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, he will be happy who rewards you, as you have served us.

O daughter of Babylon, you who will be destroyed, how honored will be the one who pays you back for what you have done to us!

9 H appy shall he be, who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock.

How honored will be the one who catches your children and throws them against the rock!