ScriptureDepth's study of Psalm 137
“By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.”
Psalms 137:1
The exiles weep by Babylon's rivers, recalling Zion, which prompts their sorrow and longing for Jerusalem amidst their captors' mockery.
What Psalm 137 is about
The people sit by the rivers of Babylon and weep as they remember Zion (vv. 1-2). In this foreign land, they hang their harps on the willows. Their captors demand songs of joy, saying, 'Sing us one of the songs of Zion!' The people respond with a question, asking how they can sing Yahweh's song in a foreign land (vv. 3-4). They make a vow, stating that if they forget Jerusalem, they wish their right hand would forget its skill and their tongue would stick to the roof of their mouth (vv. 5-6). The psalmist remembers the actions of the children of Edom, who shouted for Jerusalem's destruction (v. 7). He addresses Babylon, proclaiming that it is doomed, and expresses a desire that those who repay Babylon be happy for their actions against them (vv. 8-9). Finally, he declares the violent fate of Babylon's children.
The chapter leaves the reader contemplating the deep sorrow for Jerusalem and the longing for justice against oppressors.
Psalm 137 at a glance
- Psalm 137:1–2Sorrow by Babylon's Rivers
- Psalm 137:3–4Mockery of Captors
- Psalm 137:5–6Vow to Remember Jerusalem
- Psalm 137:7–9Cry for Justice
Key verse: Psalms 137:1
One thing to notice
The psalm concludes with a call for justice against the children of Edom and Babylon in vv. 7-9. This section expresses a desire for retribution, noting that the one who rewards Babylon’s actions will be happy, culminating in a stark and violent image.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Psalm 137 (WEB)
Sorrow by Babylon's Rivers Psalm 137:1–2
1Verse 1. By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down.Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.2Verse 2. On the willows in that land,we hung up our harps.
Mockery of Captors Psalm 137:3–4
3Verse 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!” 4Verse 4. How can we sing Yahweh’s song in a foreign land?
Vow to Remember Jerusalem Psalm 137:5–6
5Verse 5. If I forget you, Jerusalem,let my right hand forget its skill.6Verse 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.
Cry for Justice Psalm 137:7–9
7Verse 7. Remember, Yahweh, against the children of Edom,the day of Jerusalem;who said, “Raze it!Raze it even to its foundation!”8Verse 8. Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction,he will be happy who rewards you,as you have served us.9Verse 9. Happy shall he be,who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Psalm 137
exile
Exile surfaces in vv. 1-2, where the speakers sit by the rivers of Babylon, weeping as they remember Zion. Their sorrow is palpable as they hang their harps on the willows, expressing their despair and dislocation in a foreign land. This powerful imagery illustrates their longing for home and the emotional weight of living in exile.
lament
Lament is vividly expressed in vv. 1-4, where the captives mourn their lost home by the rivers of Babylon. They endure mockery from their captors, who demand joyful songs, yet the captives struggle to reconcile their past happiness with their current sorrow. This tension captures the pain of lost identity and the challenge of maintaining faith in suffering.
justice
The cry for justice emerges in vv. 7-9, as the psalmist implores Yahweh to remember the actions of Edom, who encouraged the destruction of Jerusalem. This appeal for divine retribution against their Babylonian captors articulates a desire for justice for their suffering. The stark imagery in v. 9 conveys their anguish and hope for future accountability.
memory
Memory plays a crucial role in vv. 5-6, where the speaker commits to remembering Jerusalem above all else. This vow highlights the significance of their homeland, as forgetting it would mean losing their identity and purpose. Their dedication to memory contrasts the pain of exile with cherished recollections of Zion.
Chapter outline
How Psalm 137 unfolds
Psalm 137:1–2 Sorrow by Babylon's Rivers
The exiles sit and weep by the rivers of Babylon, recalling Zion, and they hang up their harps on the willows in that land (vv. 1-2).
Psalm 137:3–4 Mockery of Captors
Their captors demand songs from them, asking for songs of joy, and the exiles question how they can sing Yahweh's song in a foreign land (vv. 3-4).
Psalm 137:5–6 Vow to Remember Jerusalem
The exiles vow to remember Jerusalem, expressing that forgetting it would result in losing their skill and joy, illustrating their deep connection to their homeland (vv. 5-6).
Psalm 137:7–9 Cry for Justice
The psalmist calls for Yahweh to remember the Edomites' actions against Jerusalem and expresses a desire for justice against Babylon, culminating in a harsh desire for retribution (vv. 7-9).
Key verses
Psalms 137:1The exiles weep by Babylon's rivers, recalling Zion, which prompts their sorrow and longing for Jerusalem amidst their captors' mockery.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Psalm 137
- observeIn v1, where do the captives sit down and weep?
- observeWhat does the phrase 'hung up our harps' in v2 suggest about the captives' state?
- interpretIn v4, what does the question 'How can we sing Yahweh's song in a foreign land?' imply about their identity?
- interpretIn vv. 8-9, what does the mention of 'little ones' indicate about the captives' desire for justice?
- applyWhen have you felt unable to express joy in a challenging situation, as expressed in v4?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Psalm 137
- Obadiah 1Psalm 137:7 and Obadiah 1:10Both call for remembrance: Psalm 137:7 speaks to Yahweh against Edom, while Obadiah 1:10 declares shame will cover Edom.
- Revelation 18Psalm 137:8 and Revelation 18:6Both speak of divine retribution: Psalm 137:8 pronounces doom on Babylon, while Revelation 18:6 calls for a double repayment.
- Jeremiah 51Psalm 137:5 and Jeremiah 51:50Both emphasize remembrance of Jerusalem: Psalm 137:5 pledges to remember, while Jeremiah 51:50 urges to remember from afar.
- Lamentations 4Psalm 137:7 and Lamentations 4:21Both invoke Edom's shame: Psalm 137:7 asks Yahweh to remember Edom's violence, while Lamentations 4:21 calls Edom to rejoice.
- Isaiah 13Psalm 137:9 and Isaiah 13:16Both depict violence against children: Psalm 137:9 expresses a desire for vengeance, while Isaiah 13:16 describes infants being dashed.
- Ezekiel 3Psalm 137:1 and Ezekiel 3:15Both reflect on exile: Psalm 137:1 describes weeping by the rivers, while Ezekiel 3:15 details Ezekiel's overwhelming feelings in captivity.
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