1 We sat by the rivers in Babylon and cried as we remembered Zion.
2 We hung our harps nearby, there on the willow trees.
3 There in Babylon, those who captured us told us to sing. Our enemies told us to entertain them. They said, “Sing us one of your songs about Zion.”
4 But we cannot sing the Lord’S songs in a foreign country!
5 Jerusalem, if I ever forget you, may I never play a song again.
6 If I fail to remember you, may I never sing again. I will always remember Jerusalem as my greatest joy!
7 Lord, be sure to punish the Edomites for what they did when Jerusalem was captured. They shouted, “Destroy its buildings! Pull them down to the ground!”
8 Babylon, you will be destroyed! Bless the one who pays you back for what you did to us.