1 B y the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down, yea, we wept, When we remembered Zion.

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

2 U pon the willows in the midst thereof We hanged up our harps.

On the willows in that land, we hung up our harps.

3 F or 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.

For 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!”

4 H ow shall we sing Jehovah's song In a foreign land?

How can we sing Yahweh’s song in a foreign land?

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

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

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

Let 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.

7 R emember, O Jehovah, against the children of Edom The day of Jerusalem; Who said, Rase it, rase it, Even to the foundation thereof.

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

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

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

9 H appy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones Against the rock.

Happy shall he be, who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock.