By the rivers of Bavel, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Żiyyon.

By the rivers of Bavel [(when we went down into exile)], there we sat; we also wept, when we remembered Zion.

We hung our lyres upon the willows in its midst.

On the willows in its midst, we hung our lyres.

For there they who carried us away captive asked us for a song; and they who spoiled us asked us for mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Żiyyon.

For there our captors [(Nevuchadnezzar, etc.)] asked song of us [(as they used to sing upon the platform in the Temple)], and our mockers, joy — Sing to us of the song of Zion.

How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?

How can I sing the song of the L rd on a strange land?

If I forget thee, O Yerushalayim, let my right hand forget her cunning.

If I [(Israel)] forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten.

If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I do not set Yerushalayim above my highest joy.

Let my tongue stick to my palate if I do not remember you, if I do not raise up [remembrance of the destruction of] Jerusalem over the head of [all] my joy.

Remember, O Lord, against the children of Edom the day of Yerushalayim, when they said, Rase it, rase it, to its very foundations.

Remember, O L rd, against the children of Edom, the day of [the destruction of] Jerusalem when they said: Raze it! Raze it! Until its foundation!

O daughter of Bavel, marked for devastation; happy is he who shall repay thee thy recompense for what thou hast done to us.

O daughter of Bavel, you [who are destined to be] despoiled, happy the one who will pay you your recompense that you paid unto us!

Happy is he who shall seize and dash thy little ones against the rock.

Happy the one who will seize and shatter your young ones on the rock!