Revised Standard Version RSV
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion.
1
By the rivers of Babylon, we sat down and cried as we remembered Zion.
2 On the willows there we hung up our lyres.
2
We hung our lyres on willow trees.
3 For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!"
3
It was there that those who had captured us demanded that we sing. Those who guarded us wanted us to entertain them. [They said,] "Sing a song from Zion for us!"
4 How shall we sing the LORD's song in a foreign land?
4
How could we sing the LORD's song in a foreign land?
5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither!
5
If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget [how to play the lyre].
6 Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy!
6
Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don't remember you, if I don't consider Jerusalem my highest joy.
7 Remember, O LORD, against the E'domites the day of Jerusalem, how they said, "Rase it, rase it! Down to its foundations!"
7
O LORD, remember the people of Edom. Remember what they did the day Jerusalem [was captured]. They said, "Tear it down! Tear it down to its foundation."
8 O daughter of Babylon, you devastator! Happy shall he be who requites you with what you have done to us!
8
You destructive people of Babylon, blessed is the one who pays you back with the same treatment you gave us.
9 Happy shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock!
9
Blessed is the one who grabs your little children and smashes them against a rock.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.