The Mourning of the Exiles in Babylon

1371 By rivers of Babylon—There we did sit, Yea, we wept when we remembered Zion. 2 On willows in its midst we hung our harps. 3 For there our captors asked us the words of a song, And our spoilers—joy: 'Sing ye to us of a song of Zion.' 4 How do we sing the song of Jehovah, On the land of a stranger? 5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, my right hand forgetteth! 6 My tongue doth cleave to my palate, If I do not remember thee, If I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.

7 Remember, Jehovah, for the sons of Edom, The day of Jerusalem, Those saying, 'Rase, rase to its foundation!' 8 O daughter of Babylon, O destroyed one, O the happiness of him who repayeth to thee thy deed, That thou hast done to us. 9 O the happiness of him who doth seize, And hath dashed thy sucklings on the rock!