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¹ Beside the rivers of Babylon
we thought about Jerusalem,
    and we sat down and cried.
² We hung our small harps
    on the willow^[a] trees.
³ Our enemies had brought us here
    as their prisoners,
    and now they wanted us to sing
    and entertain them.
They insulted us and shouted,
    "Sing about Zion!"

⁴ Here in a foreign land,
    how can we sing
    about the Lord?
⁵ Jerusalem, if I forget you,
    let my right hand go limp.
⁶ Let my tongue stick
    to the roof of my mouth,
    if I don't think about you
    above all else.

⁷ Our Lord, punish the Edomites!
Because the day Jerusalem fell,
    they shouted,
    "Completely destroy the city!
    Tear down every building!"

⁸ Babylon, you are doomed!
    I pray the Lord's blessings
    on anyone who punishes you
    for what you did to us.
⁹ May the Lord bless everyone
    who beats your children
    against the rocks!