The Bible: Psalms Chapter 137: with Audio and Commentary.

Version: World English Bible.

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Psalms Chapter 137

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 the LORD'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, LORD, 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.

Footnotes


Version: World English Bible


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Psalms Chapter 137 Guide

This is a song of memory. From the midst of the circumstances of restoration the singer looks back to days of captivity and sorrow. The picture is graphic. Babylon was far from their own land, and far removed in every way from the city of God and the temple of Jehovah. All its material splendour was noting to the captive souls who were yet faithful to Jehovah. There they sat, with harps hung, silent, upon the willows, and wept.

Their taunting captors asked them to sing. They sought to be amused by these people of a strange religion, and the request was in itself an insult of their faith. It was impossible, and they refused to sing the song of Jehovah. To have done so would have been to play traitor to their own lost city, and to all that their citizenship stood for. The prayer for vengeance must be interpreted by the first part of the song, with its revelation of the treatment they received. It must of course also be interpreted by the times in which they lived. Our times are different. We have more light. And yet it is well to remember that the deepest sense of justice still makes punishment a necessary thing in the economy of God. That conception of God which denies the equity of retribution is weak and false.

From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.


Psalms Chapter 137 Commentary

Chapter Outline

  1. The Jews bewail their captivity. -- (1-4)
  2. Their affection for Jerusalem. -- (5-9)

Verses 1-4

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.

Verses 5-9

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.

From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.