Psalms 137

Chapter Overview

What happens in Psalms 137

A powerful psalm of exile, written by the rivers of Babylon where the captives wept as they remembered Zion. Their captors demanded songs, but they could not sing the Lord's song in a foreign land.

Scripture

Weeping by the Rivers of Babylon

Study note

By the rivers of Babylon, the exiles sat down and wept when they remembered Zion. They hung their harps on the willow trees. Their captors demanded songs and entertainment, but they asked, 'How can we sing the Lord's song in a foreign land?'

1 We sat down by the rivers of Babylon and cried, remembering Zion. By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

2 We hung our harps on the willow trees nearby. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

3 The people who captured us demanded that we sing for them. Our tormentors wanted entertainment: 'Come on, sing us one of those Zion songs!' 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.

4 But how could we possibly sing the LORD's song in a land that was not our own? How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land?

Never Forget Jerusalem

Study note

The psalmist makes a passionate vow: If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you and consider Jerusalem my highest joy.

5 If I ever forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget how to play. If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.

6 May my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I stop thinking of you. May it happen if I let anything matter more to me than Jerusalem. 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.

A Cry for Justice

Study note

The psalmist calls on God to remember what Edom did on the day Jerusalem fell. The final verses express raw anguish against Babylon, reflecting the intense grief and desire for justice felt by the exiles.

7 LORD, do not forget what the Edomites did the day Jerusalem was destroyed. They kept shouting, 'Knock it down! Flatten it to the ground!' Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.

8 Babylon, you are headed for destruction! Blessed is the one who pays you back for what you did to us. O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.

9 Blessed is the one who seizes your little ones and smashes them against the rocks. Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.

Key Themes

Themes in Psalms 137

Weeping in exile by the rivers of BabylonThe impossibility of singing God's songs in a foreign landFierce loyalty to JerusalemThe raw pain of displacement

Apply This Today

Living Psalms 137

The exiles could not sing in a foreign land because their hearts were broken. If you feel displaced — geographically, spiritually, or emotionally — it is okay to hang up your harp for a season. Grief is not failure. But never forget Jerusalem. Never forget what God has promised. The exile will end.

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