1By the rivers of Babylon , there we sat down , yea, we wept , when we remembered Zion . 2We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. 3For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song ; and they that wasted us required of us mirth , saying , Sing us one of the songs of Zion .
The Mockery of the Captors
4How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a strange land ? 5If I forget thee, O Jerusalem , let my right hand forget her cunning . 6If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth ; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy .
A Call to Remember Zion
7Remember , O LORD , the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem ; who said , Rase it , rase it, even to the foundation thereof. 8O daughter of Babylon , who art to be destroyed ; happy shall he be , that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us. 9Happy shall he be , that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones .