Longing for Zion in a Foreign Land

¹By the rivers of Babylon,

There we sat down, yea, we wept

When we remembered Zion.

²We hung our harps

Upon the willows in the midst of it.

³For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song,

And those who plundered us requested mirth,

Saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”

⁴How shall we sing the Lord ’s song

In a foreign land?

⁵If I forget you, O Jerusalem,

Let my right hand forget its skill!

⁶If I do not remember you,

Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth—

If I do not exalt Jerusalem

Above my chief joy.

⁷Remember, O Lord , against the sons of Edom[#Job 29:10; Ps. 22:15; Ezek. 3:26]

The day of Jerusalem,

Who said, “Raze it, raze it,

To its very foundation!”

⁸O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed,[#Jer. 49:7–22; Lam. 4:21; Ezek. 25:12–14; 35:2; Amos 1:11; Obad. 10–14]

Happy the one who repays you as you have served us!

⁹Happy the one who takes and dashes[#Jer. 50:15; Rev. 18:6]

Your little ones against the rock!