Psalm 137 is one of the most moving passages in the Book of Psalms. It portrays a moment of profound pain, in which the Israelites, exiled in Babylon, mourn the longing for their homeland and the suffering of loss.
This psalm carries intense emotional weight, but it also teaches us about memory, identity, and spiritual resistance. Throughout this article we will explore the meaning of Psalm 137, its structure, historical context, symbolism, and practical applications for today.
Psalm 137 Complete
¹ By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and wept when we remembered Zion.
² On the willows in its midst we hung our harps.
³ For there those who carried us away captive asked us for a song; and our tormentors demanded mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion.”
⁴ How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?
⁵ If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill.
⁶ If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth; if I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.
⁷ Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem, who said, “Tear it down, tear it down to its very foundations.”
⁸ O daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is the one who repays you as you have served us.
⁹ Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.
Psalm 137 Explained Verse by Verse
Psalm 137:1
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and wept when we remembered Zion.
This verse portrays the deep sorrow of the Israelites exiled in Babylon. Sitting beside the rivers—symbols of the new territory—they weep for the memory of Zion, or Jerusalem, their holy land. The longing is so intense that it becomes a collective lament. The psalm opens by highlighting the emotional weight of exile and the pain of being far from the center of faith and spiritual identity.
Psalm 137:2
On the willows in its midst we hung our harps.
The harps—instruments once used in praise—are hung on the willows, symbolizing the abandonment of song and joy. The exiles cannot sing in a foreign land. The gesture expresses resignation and profound pain, revealing that amid suffering even music, which once connected them to God, has lost its meaning.
Psalm 137:3
For there those who carried us away captive asked us for a song; and those who plundered us requested mirth, saying: “Sing us one of the songs of Zion.”
The oppressors mock the exiles by asking for Zion’s songs as entertainment. This request is humiliating—they want the people to sing of a land that has been destroyed. The irony deepens the pain: hymns that once exalted God’s presence would now be used in a hostile, irreverent setting.
Psalm 137:4
How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?
This verse questions the possibility of praising God away from the promised land. The people feel disconnected from the divine presence. It is a spiritual dilemma: how to maintain faith and worship in a place that represents oppression? The question is filled with sorrow yet also fidelity, refusing to trivialize worship.
Psalm 137:5
If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill.
Here the psalmist makes a personal vow. He declares he would rather lose the ability to play (symbolized by the right hand) than forget Jerusalem. The city is not merely a geographic memory but the very essence of faith. It is a commitment never to let suffering erase the people’s spiritual identity.
Psalm 137:6
If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth; if I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.
Loyalty to the memory of Jerusalem is so great that the psalmist wishes to lose his speech if he ever forgets the holy city. He places Jerusalem above any personal happiness. It is an intense vow of loyalty, showing that the spiritual connection with the city is non-negotiable, even in exile.
Psalm 137:7
Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem, who said: “Tear it down, tear it down to its very foundations.”
This plea appeals to divine justice. The Edomites—neighbors and distant relatives of Israel—celebrated Jerusalem’s fall and encouraged its destruction. The psalmist asks God to remember that betrayal. It is a cry for historical reparation, highlighting that even those who should have been allies became enemies.
Psalm 137:8
O daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is the one who repays you as you have served us.
In this verse, the people’s pain turns into a desire for recompense. The “daughter of Babylon” represents the oppressive empire, and the line foretells its future ruin. The psalmist expresses hope that justice will be done. The use of the word “happy” reflects the ancient belief that divine justice would materialize through proportional retribution.
Psalm 137:9
Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.
This is the hardest and most controversial verse of the psalm. It voices a cry for vengeance in response to atrocities suffered. It must be understood within a context of war and trauma. It is not moral approval but a raw expression of pain, common in lament literature, revealing how devastating the exile experience was.
The Historical Context of Psalm 137
Psalm 137 was written during the Babylonian captivity, a period when the people of Israel were taken to a foreign land, far from Jerusalem and its temple. This exile followed the destruction of the kingdom of Judah by the Babylonians in the 6th century B.C. The Jews lost their territory, were forced to live under foreign rule, and saw the temple destroyed—an event that deeply affected their faith and identity.
The Pain of Separation
The exile represented not only a geographic shift but a break with everything sacred to the people. Psalm 137 conveys this suffering through powerful images—rivers, hung harps, unending tears. The absence of the promised land was felt as the absence of God himself.
Babylon as a Symbol of Oppression
In Psalm 137, Babylon appears as a symbol of oppression, of a world that seeks to silence faith and erase identity. This opposition between Jerusalem and Babylon recurs in many biblical texts as a tension between faith and exile, freedom and spiritual slavery.
Poetic and Symbolic Structure of Psalm 137
Psalm 137 is short—only nine verses—but dense and profound. It divides into three distinct moments: lament over the lost land, commitment to the memory of Jerusalem, and a cry for justice.
Lament by the Riversides
The psalm opens with an image of sorrow: “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and wept when we remembered Zion.” This scene forms the emotional bedrock. Rivers, often seen as sources of life, here represent longing and exile.
The Memory of Jerusalem
The psalm’s central section is a declaration of fidelity. Even far from the holy city, the exiles vow never to forget Jerusalem. The city is not just a geographic place but the representation of covenant with God.
The Desire for Justice
The final part of Psalm 137 is the most difficult and controversial, containing a cry for vengeance. These verses reflect the pain and injustice endured. Though shocking at first sight, they express the human reality of extreme suffering.
The Relevance of Psalm 137 Today
Though ancient, Psalm 137 resonates with anyone who has experienced loss, injustice, or homesickness. Its message remains pertinent in times of crisis, forced migration, or persecution.
Memory and Resistance
The psalm teaches that remembering is resisting. Recalling Jerusalem is not passive nostalgia but an act of resistance. In difficult times, keeping alive the memory of faith, dignity, and hope is a way to remain steadfast.
Valid Expression of Pain
Psalm 137 also legitimizes suffering. It shows that one can speak to God even in pain, even when there are no answers. This brings comfort to those who feel they have lost everything, including their spiritual footing.
A Psalm for Times of Crisis
In modern times, Psalm 137 can be read as a prayer amid war, religious persecution, forced displacement, or personal grief. It shows that God welcomes even the hardest and most honest prayers.
Jerusalem: Much More Than a City
In Psalm 137, Jerusalem symbolizes more than geography. It represents the spiritual identity of the people. Forgetting Jerusalem meant losing oneself. Therefore, the psalm declares: “If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither.”
The City of Encounter with God
For the Jews, Jerusalem was the site of the temple where the people encountered the divine presence. This spiritual bond was inseparable from their faith identity. Remembering the city also meant remembering the covenant with the Lord.
The Importance of Fidelity
The psalmist’s commitment never to forget Jerusalem also invites us to keep our fidelity to spiritual values, even in adverse environments.
Spiritual Lessons from Psalm 137
Psalm 137 offers several lessons for spiritual growth and for facing difficult moments:
- Value the memory of faith: Remembering experiences with God strengthens spiritual identity.
- Lament truthfully: Suffering must be expressed so it can heal.
- Stay firm even in exile: Even far from ideal circumstances, faith can remain alive.
- Hope does not die in exile: Remembering future promise sustains the heart.
Comparisons with Other Psalms
Compared with other laments, Psalm 137 stands out for the power of its images and emotional intensity. While many psalms speak of pain seeking comfort, this one shows raw pain still unanswered, yet unwavering in remembrance.
Psalm 126
Psalm 126 also deals with exile and return. It portrays restoration as a dream come true, contrasting with the lament of Psalm 137, which remains trapped in the pain of absence.
Psalm 42
Psalm 42 conveys a longing for God similar to that felt in exile. Both psalms teach that even in tears, one can keep the heart turned toward the Lord.
Practical Applications of Psalm 137 Today
- For those living far from home: Whether by necessity or destiny, the psalm brings comfort to anyone facing distance from home.
- In moments of national or personal crisis: It validates collective and individual lament.
- To keep spirituality alive: It shows that even without a temple or sacred location, faith can still burn brightly.
Curiosities about Psalm 137
- Psalm 137 is frequently cited in music and literature for its strong symbolism.
- The phrase “we hung our harps” became synonymous with sorrow and artistic renunciation.
- Bob Marley used excerpts of this psalm in the song “Rivers of Babylon,” adapting it to the struggle of Black people for justice.
FAQ about Psalm 137
What does “we hung our harps” mean?
It means the exiles no longer had the motivation to sing, for they were sad and far from their land.
Why does the psalm end with harsh words?
They reflect pain and a desire for justice—an honest human expression of suffering caused by oppression.
Is Jerusalem literal or symbolic in the psalm?
Both. It is the literal city destroyed at the time, but it also represents covenant with God.
Does this psalm still matter today?
Yes, especially for those facing grief, exile, loss, or longing for spiritual roots.
What is the main message of Psalm 137?
Fidelity to faith and spiritual identity, even in times of pain, exile, or injustice.
READ ALSO:
- 50 Beautiful Verses to Strengthen Faith and the Heart
- Proverbs 15 – Reflections that Transform
- Birthday Message: Biblical Inspiration to Celebrate
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK
I hope you enjoyed it.