1 By the rivers in Babylon we sat and criedwhen we remembered Jerusalem.
2 On the poplar trees nearbywe hung our harps.
3 Those who captured us asked us to sing.Our enemies wanted happy songs.They said, “Sing us a Temple song from Jerusalem!”
4 But we cannot sing songs about the Lordwhile we are in this foreign country!
5 Jerusalem, if I forget you,let my right hand lose its skill.
6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouthif I do not remember you.Let these things happen if I do not think about Jerusalemas my greatest joy.
7 Lord, remember what the Edomites didon the day Jerusalem fell.They said, “Tear it down!Tear it down to its foundations!”
8 People of Babylon, you will be destroyed.The people who pay you back will be happy.They will punish you for what you did to us.
9 They will grab your babiesand throw them against the rocks.