In response to the pain of exile (137:1–4), the psalmist resolves to remember Jerusalem even though the memories cause him pain (137:4–6). He also writes an astounding imprecation, or prayer for vengeance (137:7–9).
1By the rivers of Babylon we sat and weptwhen we remembered Zion.ⓘBecause the music of Jerusalem was tied to...
Because the music of Jerusalem was tied to the joys of life in the Promised Land, the Exile removed any occasion for singing joyous songs. The Babylonians wanted the Judeans to sing and dance for them, but the exiles’ grief made doing so either distasteful or impossible. The songs celebrating the Lord speak of his power and goodness, but his people were filled with doubts and questions. They hung their harps in trees, perhaps signifying the death of their joy under God’s curse (Deut 21:23).
2There on the willows†we hung our harps,3for there our captors requested a song;our tormentors demanded songs of joy:“Sing us a song of Zion.”4How can we sing a song of the LORDin a foreign land?ⓘThe psalmist pledges his loyalty to Jerusalem, the...
The psalmist pledges his loyalty to Jerusalem, the city at the center of God’s reign and the location of fellowship with him.
5If I forget you, O Jerusalem,may my right hand cease to function.6May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouthif I do not remember you,if I do not exalt Jerusalemas my greatest joy!ⓘThe poet witnessed the betrayal of God’s people...
The poet witnessed the betrayal of God’s people from Judah by the Edomites, so he curses Edom. The long rivalry between Edom and Judah came to a head during Judah’s last days, when the Edomites handed the Judeans over to the Babylonians (Obad 1:10–11) and rejoiced in Jerusalem’s fall.
This prayer for vengeance is shocking.
7Remember, O LORD,the sons of Edom on the day Jerusalem fell:“Destroy it,” they said,“tear it down to its foundations!”8O Daughter of Babylon,doomed to destruction,blessed is he who repays youas you have done to us.9Blessed is he who seizes your infantsand dashes them against the rocks.