Psalms 137
1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.
3 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 How shall we sing the LORD’S song in a strange land?
5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.
6 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.
7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
8 O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.
9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.
Common Questions About Psalms 137
What is the setting of Psalm 137?
It is written from exile in Babylon, describing weeping by the rivers of Babylon while remembering Zion, too grieved to sing the Lord's songs in a foreign land.
Why is the psalm's ending considered difficult?
Its closing verses express raw, harsh imprecation against Babylon's cruelty; while shocking, it reflects honest wartime grief and trust that God alone should execute justice, not personal vengeance.
Have a different question about this chapter? Ask the Bible Chat Bot below.
Questions to Think About
- Have you ever felt too grieved to worship, the way the exiles describe here? How did you eventually find your voice again?
- How do you process anger at real injustice without letting it curdle into something destructive?
Ask the Bible Chat Bot below if you'd like to talk through any of these.
