Psalms 137
Psalm 137 is a psalm that sings of the pain and longing experienced by the people of Israel during the Babylonian exile. Structurally, it can be divided into three main parts: (1) sorrow by the rivers of Babylon (verses 1–3), (2) a vow to not forget Jerusalem (verses 4–6), and (3) a plea concerning the enemies (verses 7–9). Each part contains the reality of being in exile, a deep love for Jerusalem, and a cry of suffering for the oppressed people.
1verseBy the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
2verseOn the willows in that land, we hung up our harps.
3verseFor 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!”
4verseHow can we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land?
5verseIf I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill.
6verseLet 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.
7verseRemember, LORD, against the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem, who said, “Raze it! Raze it even to its foundation!”
8verseDaughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, he will be happy who repays you, as you have done to us.
9verseHappy shall he be, who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock.
Sorrow by the Rivers of Babylon and the Pain of the Community
In verses 1–3, the people of Israel, exploited as captives in Babylon, express their sorrow as they long for the glorious Jerusalem of the past, to the point that they cannot even sing songs of joy. Because of the enemy’s coercion, they experience a profound sense of loss and despair in a reality where their identity, faith, and culture are suppressed.
Steadfast Love for Jerusalem
In verses 4–6, the psalmist makes a strong vow that he will not forget his homeland, Jerusalem. Even if he were punished, with his right hand losing its skill and his tongue clinging to the roof of his mouth, he confesses that he will never forget Jerusalem. This expresses the determination to hold on to one’s roots of faith and identity even amid hardship.
A Plea Against the Enemy and Human Complex Feelings
The final verses 7–9 reveal the psalmist’s intense sorrow toward Babylon. He remembers the day when Edom and Babylon destroyed Jerusalem, and he pleads that the same kind of recompense would come upon them as well. These pleas show humanity’s deep wounds and longing for justice, but it is important to note that, in themselves, they are not a model ideal of faith—rather, they are an honest confession from within the human heart.
Meditation Points
- Think about how you can protect your faith and identity in places of suffering and loss.
- Just as the psalmist’s love for Jerusalem is something he cannot let go of, you can also consider what in my life is a "value that must never be forgotten."
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Reflect on what faith and hope you should not forget in your difficulties, as well as what love you have for your community.
- You can also learn the courage to be honest before God, even with the anger and wounds inside your own emotions.
