By the rivers in Babylon we sat and cried when we remembered Jerusalem.

On the poplar trees nearby we hung our harps.

Those who captured us asked us to sing; our enemies wanted happy songs. They said, "Sing us a song about Jerusalem!"

But we cannot sing songs about the Lord while we are in this foreign country!

Jerusalem, if I forget you, let my right hand lose its skill.

Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not think about Jerusalem as my greatest joy.

Lord, remember what the Edomites did on the day Jerusalem fell. They said, "Tear it down! Tear it down to its foundations!"

People of Babylon, you will be destroyed. The people who pay you back for what you did to us will be happy.

They will grab your babies and throw them against the rocks. A psalm of David.