1: Alongside Babylon's rivers we sat on the banks; we cried and cried, remembering the good old days in Zion.
2: Alongside the quaking aspens we stacked our unplayed harps;
3: That's where our captors demanded songs, sarcastic and mocking: "Sing us a happy Zion song!"
4: Oh, how could we ever sing GOD's song in this wasteland?
5: If I ever forget you, Jerusalem, let my fingers wither and fall off like leaves.
6: Let my tongue swell and turn black if I fail to remember you, If I fail, O dear Jerusalem, to honor you as my greatest.
7: GOD, remember those Edomites, and remember the ruin of Jerusalem, That day they yelled out, "Wreck it, smash it to bits!"
8: And you, Babylonians--ravagers! A reward to whoever gets back at you for all you've done to us;
9: Yes, a reward to the one who grabs your babies and smashes their heads on the rocks!