An Experience of the Captivity.

1By the rivers of Babylon,

There we [captives] sat down and wept,

When we remembered Zion [the city God imprinted on our hearts].

2On the willow trees in the midst of Babylon

We hung our harps.

3For there they who took us captive demanded of us a song with words,

And our tormentors [who made a mockery of us demanded] amusement, saying,

“Sing us one of the songs of Zion.”

4How can we sing the LORD’S song

In a strange and foreign land?

5If I forget you, O Jerusalem,

Let my right hand forget [her skill with the harp].

6Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth

If I do not remember you,

If I do not prefer Jerusalem

Above my chief joy.

7Remember, O LORD, against the sons of Edom,

The day of [the fall of] Jerusalem,

Who said “Down, down [with her]

To her very foundation.”

8O daughter of Babylon, you devastator,

How blessed will be the one

Who repays you [with destruction] as you have repaid us.

9How blessed will be the one who seizes and dashes your little ones

Against the rock.