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

By rivers of Babylon -- There we did sit, Yea, we wept when we remembered Zion.

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

On willows in its midst we hung 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 there our captors asked us the words of a song, And our spoilers -- joy: `Sing ye to us of a song of Zion.'

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

How do we sing the song of Jehovah, On the land of a stranger?

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

If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, my right hand forgetteth!

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.

My tongue doth cleave to my palate, If I do not remember thee, If I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.

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

Remember, Jehovah, for the sons of Edom, The day of Jerusalem, Those saying, `Rase, rase to its foundation!'

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

O daughter of Babylon, O destroyed one, O the happiness of him who repayeth to thee thy deed, That thou hast done to us.

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

O the happiness of him who doth seize, And hath dashed thy sucklings on the rock!