¹By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down .

Yes , we wept , when we remembered Zion .

²On the willows in that land,

we hung up our harps .

³For 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 !”

⁴How can we sing the LORD ’s song in a foreign land?

⁵If I forget you, Jerusalem ,

let my right hand forget its skill.

⁶Let 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 .

⁷Remember , LORD , against the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem ,

who said, “Raze it !

Raze it even to its foundation !”

⁸Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction,

he will be happy who repays you ,

as you have done to us.

⁹Happy shall he be,

who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock .