1BY THE rivers of Babylon, there we [captives] sat down, yes, we wept when we [earnestly] remembered Zion [the city of our God imprinted on our hearts].
2On the willow trees in the midst of [Babylon] we hung our harps.
3For there they who led us captive required of us a song with words, and our tormentors and they who wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.
4How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?
5If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill [with the harp].
6Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth if I remember you not, if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy! [Ezek. 3:26.]
7Remember, O Lord, against the Edomites, that they said in the day of Jerusalem's fall, Down, down to the ground with her!
8O Daughter of Babylon [you devastator, you!], who [ought to be and] shall be destroyed, happy and blessed shall he be who requites you as you have served us. [Isa. 13:1-22; Jer. 25:12, 13.]
9Happy and blessed shall he be who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock!