1 Virtojen varsilla Babyloniassa me istuimme ja itkimme, kun muistimme Siionia.

2 Rannan pajuihin me ripustimme lyyramme.

4 Kuinka voisimme laulaa Herran lauluja vieraalla maalla?

5 Jerusalem, jos sinut unohdan, kadotkoon käteni voima!

6 Tarttukoon kieleni kitalakeen, ellen sinua muista, ellen pidä ylimpänä ilonani sinua, Jerusalem!

8 Ja sinä Babylon, tuhoon tuomittu nainen! Hyvin tekee se, joka sinulle kostaa sen minkä meille teit.

9 Hyvin tekee se, joka tarttuu lapsiisi ja lyö ne murskaksi kallioon!

1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down.

Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

2 On the willows in that land,

we hung up our harps.

3 For there, those who led us captive asked us for songs.

Those who tormented us demanded songs of joy:

"Sing us one of the songs of Zion!"

4 How can we sing Yahweh’s song in a foreign land?

5 If I forget you, Jerusalem,

let my right hand forget its skill.

6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don’t remember you,

if I don’t prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy.

7 Remember, Yahweh, against the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem,

who said, "Raze it!

Raze it even to its foundation!"

8 Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction,

he will be happy who repays you,

as you have done to us.

9 Happy shall he be,

who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock.