Psalm 137
Israel Remembering Zion in Babylon in Captivity
Israel Remembering Zion in Babylon in Captivity
Psalm 137. This Psalm gives us the expressions of Israel as captives in Babylon as they remembered Zion. Prophetically, this Psalm may be a remembrance of former days once they are restored in their land, and it also could foreshadow the return of the ten tribes from their places among the nations, and the persecution they experience as they journey homeward.
PSALM 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 made us wail required mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.
vv.1-3 The Captives In Babylon. The captives arrive in Babylon, and sat down by the rive, hanging up their harps, which is a symbol of their deep sorrow. Their captors required a song from them, as a joke to further humiliate the captives; “Sing us one of the songs of Zion.”
4 How should we sing a song of Jehovah’s upon a foreign soil?
5 If I forget thee, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill;
6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to my palate: if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
7 Remember, O Jehovah, against the sons of Edom, the day of Jerusalem; who said, Lay it bare, Lay it bare, down to its foundation!
8 Daughter of Babylon, who art to be laid waste, happy he that rendereth unto thee that which thou hast meted out to us.
9 Happy he that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the rock.
vv.4-9 Jerusalem Not Forgotten. The faithful cannot be content to dwell in a strange land. They will not forget Jerusalem. They beseech Jehovah not to forget Edom, who had a hand in their captivity; “Remember, O Jehovah, against the sons of Edom, the day of Jerusalem; who said, Lay it bare, Lay it bare, down to its foundation!” Babylon is to be destroyed, and Israel anticipated this with righteous indignation.