1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

136:1 Psalmus David, Jeremiæ. Super flumina Babylonis illic sedimus et flevimus,
cum recordaremur Sion.

2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

2 In salicibus in medio ejus
suspendimus organa nostra:

3 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.

3 quia illic interrogaverunt nos, qui captivos duxerunt nos,
verba cantionum;
et qui abduxerunt nos:
Hymnum cantate nobis de canticis Sion.

4 How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?

4 Quomodo cantabimus canticum Domini
in terra aliena?

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

5 Si oblitus fuero tui, Jerusalem,
oblivioni detur dextera mea.

6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

6 Adhæreat lingua mea faucibus meis,
si non meminero tui;
si non proposuero Jerusalem
in principio lætitiæ meæ.

7 Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.

7 Memor esto, Domine, filiorum Edom,
in die Jerusalem:
qui dicunt: Exinanite, exinanite
usque ad fundamentum in ea.

8 O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.

8 Filia Babylonis misera! beatus qui retribuet tibi
retributionem tuam quam retribuisti nobis.

9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.

9 Beatus qui tenebit,
et allidet parvulos tuos ad petram.