Psalms137
World English Bible · Public Domain
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.
Study
Psalms 137Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 137. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The Jews bewail their captivity. (1–4). Their affection for Jerusalem. (5–9).
vv1-4
Their enemies had carried the Jews captive from their own land. To complete their woes, they insulted over them; they required of them mirth and a song. This was very barbarous; also profane, for no songs would serve but the songs of Zion. Scoffers are not to be compiled with. They do not say, How shall we sing, when we are so much in sorrow? but, It is the Lord's song, therefore we dare not sing it among idolaters.
vv5-9
What we love, we love to think of. Those that rejoice in God, for his sake make Jerusalem their joy. They stedfastly resolved to keep up this affection. When suffering, we should recollect with godly sorrow our forfeited mercies, and our sins by which we lost them. If temporal advantages ever render a profession, the worst calamity has befallen him. Far be it from us to avenge ourselves; we will leave it to Him who has said, Vengeance is mine. Those that are glad at calamities, especially at the calamities of Jerusalem, shall not go unpunished. We cannot pray for promised success to the church of God without looking to, though we do not utter a prayer for, the ruin of her enemies. But let us call to mind to whose grace and finished salvation alone it is, that we have any hopes of being brought home to the heavenly Jerusalem.
Key Words
עַל: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
נָהָר: a stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
בָּבֶל: Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire
שָׁם: there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
יָשַׁב: properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
גַּם: properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
בָּכָה: to weep; generally to bemoan
זָכַר: properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
צִיּוֹן: Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem
עָרָב: a willow (from the use of osiers as wattles)
Cross References
Psalms 137Detailed description of Edom's malicious celebration and assistance in the day of Jerusalem's destruction.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Couples the judgment of the daughter of Edom with the recovery of Zion.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
God's pledge of vengeance against Edom for taking vengeful action against the house of Judah.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Prophetic declaration that Babylon's children will be dashed to pieces before their eyes.
Supported by JFB
Refers to the location of the captivity near the 'brook of the willows'.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Expresses the painful incongruity of demanding happy songs from a heavy, grieving heart.
Supported by JFB
Identical physiological description of grief and silence: the tongue cleaving to the roof of the mouth.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel imagery of judgment where infants are dashed in pieces.
Supported by JFB
Locates the Jewish exiles similarly by the rivers of Babylon (specifically the river Chebar).
Supported by Matthew Poole
Contrasts the proud, enthroned daughter of Babylon with her coming humiliation and grief.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Jerusalem remembers her pleasant things while her adversaries mock her downfall.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Verbal echo of the defilement and impossibility of offering pleasing sacrifices in a foreign land.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Condemns Edom's perpetual hatred and active hostility during Judah's calamity.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Classical posture of mourning and silent weeping in the face of immense, overwhelming grief.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The law of retribution: 'as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee'.
Supported by Matthew Henry