PsalmsChapter 137

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By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion.

On the willows there we hung up our harps,

for there our captors demanded songs of us, our tormentors called for songs of joy: "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!"

How can we sing the LORD's song on foreign soil?

If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget how to play.[^1] [^1]: Hebrew simply reads "may my right hand forget," leaving the object unstated; the context of harp playing (verse 2) is supplied.

Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy.

Remember, LORD, against the Edomites the day of Jerusalem, how they said, "Tear it down! Tear it down to its foundations!"[^1] [^1]: "The day of Jerusalem" refers to the day the city fell to its enemies.

Daughter of Babylon, you destroyer,[^1] blessed is the one who repays you for what you did to us, [^1]: Or "you who are doomed to be destroyed."

blessed is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rock.

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Summary2

Chapter 137

Main Theme: A lament expressing Israel's deep sorrow in exile and longing for Jerusalem, along with a cry for vengeance against the enemies.

Content: By the rivers of Babylon, the Israelites sit and weep as they remember Zion. They hang their harps on the willow trees and refuse to sing the Lord's songs in a foreign land, even when captors demand it. With strong self-curses, they swear loyalty to Jerusalem, and the psalm concludes with a prayer for vengeance against Edom and Babylon.

Key Words/Images:

Rivers of Babylon: The place of exile where the Israelites mourn the loss of their homeland.
Harp on the willow trees: A symbol that praise has fallen silent—joy is impossible in captivity.
Jerusalem as "the highest joy": Expresses deep longing and the vow never to forget the holy city.
"Daughter of Babylon": Personification of Babylon, who will receive retribution for her deeds against Israel.

Historical context

Historical and Cultural Context for the Book of Psalms, Chapter 137

Places

Babylon and the Rivers – The psalm opens with a reference to "the rivers of Babylon", which points to the Euphrates and Tigris rivers as well as the extensive canal system in Babylonia. The exiled Jews were settled in various areas, including by the Kebar Canal (Ezek 1:1–3). These riverbanks served as natural gathering places for the exile community, possibly for prayer and mourning since they were outside the city’s idolatrous worship.

Zion and Jerusalem – These names are used interchangeably in the psalm and represent both the physical city and the temple that was destroyed in 586 B.C. For the exiles, Jerusalem was not merely a geographical location but the spiritual center for the worship of YHWH.

Events and Customs

The Babylonian Exile – The psalm directly reflects the experience of exile following Nebuchadnezzar’s destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. The Babylonians practiced mass deportation of conquered peoples, a strategy aimed at breaking down national identity. The exiles were forced to entertain their oppressors—a humiliating practice known from other ancient sources.

Edom’s Betrayal – Verse 7 mentions "the sons of Edom" who called for the destruction of Jerusalem. The Edomites, Israel’s neighboring people and relatives (descendants of Esau), exploited Judah’s fall by plundering and hindering refugees. This betrayal was deeply felt because it came from a "brother nation" (cf. Obadiah; Ezek 25:12–14).

Key Terms

Kinnor (כִּנּוֹר) – The Hebrew word is often translated as "harp" or "lyre", and was a stringed instrument central to temple worship. Hanging the kinnor on trees symbolized that the music of worship had fallen silent—an act of grief and protest.

"A song of YHWH" (שִׁיר־יְהוָה) – This expression in verse 4 refers to the sacred song belonging to temple worship. The question "How can we sing?" expresses a theological crisis: Could YHWH be worshipped on foreign, unclean soil, far from his chosen dwelling?

"Blessed is he" (אַשְׁרֵי) – This word, known from Psalm 1:1, is used here in verses 8–9 concerning the one who repays Babylon. This shocking image reflects ancient warfare brutality where victors crushed the children of the defeated (cf. Hos 10:14; 2 Kgs 8:12). The phrasing expresses raw despair and a cry for just retribution rather than a divine command to act.

People

No known people in this chapter.

Key words8

Babylon — An ancient city and kingdom in Mesopotamia, known for its power and magnificent architecture.
The rivers — Waterways referring to the rivers of Babylon, where the people of Israel sat and wept during their exile.
Zion — A hill in Jerusalem and a symbol of God's dwelling place and Israel's spiritual home.
Forget — To lose memory of something or not remember it; here used as a prayer that Jerusalem should never be forgotten.
Right hand — Symbolizes strength and skill, especially in music and battle.
Daughter — Here refers to the people or nation coming from a specific city or land, such as "daughter Babylon."
Vengeance — Retribution or punishment for a previous action, often with a desire for justice or redress.
Edom — An ancient nation and enemy of Israel, who called for Jerusalem's destruction.