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Psalms 137

9 verses

TL;DR

The Psalm laments the Israelites’ sorrowful exile in Babylon, longing for Jerusalem while expressing a bitter desire for vengeance against their captors.

Summary

Psalm 137 opens with the mournful scene of the exiles sitting by the rivers of Babylon, weeping over lost Zion. They hang their harps upon the willows as a gesture of sorrow, yet the captors demand songs of joy, creating a tension between joy and longing. The psalmist questions how to sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land, revealing deep distress. The lament turns toward the city of Jerusalem, pledging to forget even the right hand if memory fails. The verses then shift to a call for revenge, condemning Babylon and calling for the destruction of its children, and recalling the cruelty of Edom toward Jerusalem. The poem ends with a bleak, vengeful wish for those who have harmed the exiles to be destroyed, underscoring the depth of the Israelites’ anguish and hatred.

Outline
  1. 1. Exile in Babylon and mourning for Zion
  2. 2. Conflict between singing joyfully and yearning for Jerusalem
  3. 3. Vengeful call against Babylon and Edom
Themes
longing for homelandfaith under oppressiondesire for justice/vengeance
Keywords
exilelamentZionJerusalemBabylonsongsmirthvengeanceEdom
People
LordJerusalemZionEdomBabylon
Places
BabylonZionJerusalemrivers of Babylon
Things
harpswillowssongsmirthcunningright handtonguestone
Key Verses
  • Psalms 137:1: sets the scene of exile and grief
  • Psalms 137:4: poses the dilemma of singing joyfully in a foreign land
  • Psalms 137:8-9: expresses violent longing for vengeance against Babylon
Questions
  • What emotions does the Psalm evoke about exile and longing for home?
  • How does the psalmist reconcile the desire to sing for joy with the reality of captivity?
  • In what ways does the text reflect the tension between faith and vengeance?
  • What can modern readers learn about dealing with injustice and memory?
  • How does the Psalm’s structure shape its emotional impact?
Sentiment

negative
deep sorrow, yearning, and a call for justice