Psalms 137 Explained – Verse by Verse Commentary

The True Meaning of Psalms 137

The Book of Psalms is a collection of sacred songs and prayers attributed to various authors, including King David, who is believed to have written the majority of the psalms. Psalm 137 is a lament written by an anonymous author, likely a Jewish exile living in Babylon during the period of the Babylonian captivity.

This psalm reflects the deep sorrow and longing felt by the Jewish people as they were forced to live in a foreign land, far from their beloved Jerusalem. The author expresses the anguish of being separated from their homeland and the desire to one day return and rebuild their lives. The imagery of hanging their harps on the willow trees and refusing to sing the songs of Zion in a strange land is a powerful symbol of their grief and displacement.

The psalm also foreshadows the eventual downfall of Babylon, as the author calls for vengeance against those who have oppressed the Jewish people. This sentiment echoes the prophecies of Jeremiah, who warned of Babylon’s impending destruction (Jeremiah 50-51). The psalm’s ending, with its call for the destruction of Babylon’s children, reflects the deep trauma and desire for retribution felt by the exiled community.

Psalms 137:1-3

We sat down by the rivers of Babylon, we wept when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. 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.”

The imagery presented in these verses is quite powerful and poignant. The Israelites are depicted mourning by the rivers of Babylon, reflecting on their homeland, Zion, which has been destroyed and from which they have been exiled. Babylon represents captivity, oppression, and exile for the Israelites. The act of hanging their harps upon the willows signifies their deep sorrow and loss as they are unable and unwilling to find joy or make music in a foreign land where they are held captive. Music and singing were integral parts of Israelite worship and culture, so the demand for a song from their captors adds insult to injury. Instead of finding solace in music, the Israelites are reminded of the songs of Zion, which evoke memories of their land and their worship.

This passage is a reflection of the Israelites’ collective grief and longing for their homeland and their God. It underscores the pain of being separated from the land that God had given them and where His presence dwelt in the Temple in Jerusalem. The idea of being forced to sing the sacred songs of Zion in a place of captivity adds a layer of cruelty to their suffering, as it highlights the loss of their spiritual and cultural identity.

The themes of exile, lament, and longing for return are common throughout the Bible, not just in the book of Psalms. The exile to Babylon was a pivotal event in Israelite history, marking a period of disconnection from their land, their temple, and their identity as God’s chosen people. This experience of exile and longing for return is echoed in other biblical stories, such as the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt, their wanderings in the wilderness, and their eventual return to the Promised Land. It also foreshadows the ultimate return and restoration promised to Israel in prophecies like those found in Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Just as the Israelites lamented by the rivers of Babylon, so too do believers today find comfort in knowing that God hears their cries and promises restoration and redemption.

Psalms 137:4-6

The verse in Psalms 137:4-6 begins with the exiled Israelites sitting by the rivers of Babylon, weeping as they remember Zion. This section of the verse reflects the deep sense of sorrow, homesickness, and longing for their homeland that the Israelites in exile were experiencing. The mention of Babylon in this verse is significant because it symbolizes the place of captivity and separation from the promised land of Israel.

The act of hanging their harps on the willow trees demonstrates a profound sense of despair and mourning among the exiled Israelites. The harp was a symbol of joy and praise in their worship and cultural practices, and by hanging them up, they were essentially renouncing their former expressions of joy in the face of their current suffering. This gesture shows that their present circumstances were so overwhelmingly sorrowful that they could no longer find it in themselves to sing songs of praise.

The mention of their captors demanding songs of joy from them further emphasizes the cruel and mocking treatment the Israelites faced in their exile. Their oppressors were not only responsible for their physical captivity but also sought to strip away their cultural and spiritual identity by forcing them to perform their joyful songs in a foreign land. This highlights the dehumanizing nature of the Babylonian captivity, where the Israelites were not only separated from their homeland but also subjected to further humiliation and anguish.

This verse in Psalms 137 serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the enduring faithfulness of God to His people. The exile of the Israelites to Babylon was a direct result of their disobedience and idolatry, as forewarned by the prophets throughout the Old Testament. Their experience of exile serves as a powerful lesson about the importance of faithfulness, perseverance, and repentance in maintaining a relationship with God. The theme of exile and restoration is a common thread throughout the Old Testament in relation to other verses in the Bible. The Israelites’ exile to Babylon, as described in Psalms 137, is part of a larger narrative of God’s judgment and eventual restoration of His people. Verses such as Jeremiah 29:11, where God promises a future and a hope for His people, demonstrate the overarching message of God’s faithfulness and redemption even in the midst of exile and suffering. The Babylonian exile was a pivotal moment in Israel’s history, shaping their identity and faith as a nation. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the hope of restoration through repentance and renewed faith.

Psalms 137:7-9

The Israelites express a powerful sorrow and longing in Psalms 137:7-9. Let’s identify the subject: “We”
Rewritten sentence: We will break down this verse and delve into its deep meaning. The plea in verse 7 begins with “Remember, Lord, what the Edomites did on the day Jerusalem fell.”” Here, the psalmist implores God to remember the actions of the Edomites when Jerusalem was conquered. The Edomites were descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob, and had a longstanding rivalry with the Israelites. When Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians, instead of showing compassion or support, the Edomites rejoiced over Israel’s misfortune. This act of betrayal and lack of empathy deeply wounded the Israelites. The psalmist is calling out to God to take note of this injustice and hold the Edomites accountable for their actions.

The next verse continues with a cry for retribution, “Tear it down,” they cried, “tear it down to its foundations!” This line reflects the intense anguish and anger felt by the Israelites towards their enemies. The destruction of Jerusalem was a devastating blow to the Israelites, not only on a physical level but also spiritually and emotionally. The plea to tear down the city to its foundations symbolizes the desire for complete destruction and justice to be served against those who had caused such pain and suffering. It reveals the depth of the psalmist’s despair and the need for God’s intervention in bringing about righteousness and judgement.

The final verse concludes with a chilling vow of vengeance, “Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is the one who repays you according to what you have done to us.” This verse underscores the sentiment of righteous anger and a desire for God’s justice to prevail. Babylon was the powerful empire that had captured and devastated Jerusalem, leading to the exile of the Israelites. The psalmist calls for Babylon’s downfall and retribution for the atrocities committed against God’s people. This desire for vengeance highlights the complex emotions of the Israelites in the face of oppression and suffering, while also emphasizing the belief in God’s ultimate justice and righteousness.

When we examine these verses in the context of the entire Bible, we see a recurring theme of God’s righteousness and justice prevailing over oppression and evil. Throughout the Bible, God is portrayed as a just and merciful God who sees and hears the cries of His people. “It is written in Romans 12:19, ‘Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”” This verse reminds us that vengeance belongs to God alone, and we are called to trust in His timing and ways. Psalms 137 serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of human emotions, the reality of suffering, and the unwavering faith in God’s justice and deliverance.

After Psalms 137

The people of Judah sat by the rivers of Babylon, weeping as they remembered their beloved Jerusalem. They hung their harps on the willow trees, unable to sing the songs of the Lord in a foreign land. Their captors demanded songs of joy, but how could they sing when their hearts were filled with sorrow and longing for their homeland? The people of Judah wept and vowed to never forget their beloved city. They promised to hold Jerusalem in their highest regard, even if it meant facing the consequences of their captors. The reverend knew that this chapter was not the end of the story, but rather a turning point in the lives of the Israelites. The journey ahead would be filled with challenges, but their faith and determination would guide them through the darkest of times.