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1 We sat by the rivers in Babylon 
and cried as we remembered Zion. 
2 We hung our harps nearby, there on the willow trees. 
3 There in Babylon, those who captured us told us to sing. 
Our enemies told us to entertain them. 
They said, “Sing us one of your songs about Zion.” 
4 But we cannot sing the LORD’S songs 
in a foreign country! 
5 Jerusalem, if I ever forget you, 
may I never play a song again. 
6 If I fail to remember you, 
may I never sing again. 
I will always remember Jerusalem 
as my greatest joy! 
   
7 LORD, be sure to punish the Edomites for what they did 
when Jerusalem was captured. 
They shouted, “Destroy its buildings! 
Pull them down to the ground!” 
8 Babylon, you will be destroyed! 
Bless the one who pays you back for what you did to us. 
9 Bless the one who grabs your babies 
and smashes them against a rock.