1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and wept when we remembered Zion.

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

2 Upon the willows in its midst, we hung our harps.

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

3 For there, our captors asked us for songs, and our tormentors asked for joy, saying, 'Sing us one 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 How can we sing the LORD's song in a foreign land?

How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land?

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

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

6 Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my greatest 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 Remember, O LORD, against the sons of Edom the day of Jerusalem, when they said, 'Tear it down! Tear it down to its very foundations!'

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

8 O daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, blessed is the one who repays you according to what you have done to us.

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

9 Blessed is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rock.

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