Psalms137

Psalms 137 opens with the poignant lament of Israelite captives by the rivers of Babylon, weeping as they remember Zion and refusing to sing sacred songs in a foreign land. They express unwavering loyalty to Jerusalem, vowing to prefer it above their chief joy. The psalm concludes with a fervent plea for divine retribution against Edom for its role in Jerusalem's downfall and a stark imprecation against Babylon, anticipating its violent destruction.

Sorrow and Silence in Babylonian Exile

1
By rivers of Babylon--There we did sit, Yea, we wept when we remembered Zion.
2
On willows in its midst we hung our harps.
3
For there our captors asked us the words of a song, And our spoilers--joy: `Sing ye to us of a song of Zion.'
4
How do we sing the song of Jehovah, On the land of a stranger?

An Oath of Undying Loyalty to Zion

5
If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, my right hand forgetteth!
6
My tongue doth cleave to my palate, If I do not remember thee, If I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.

A Prayer for Vengeance and Justice

7
Remember, Jehovah, for the sons of Edom, The day of Jerusalem, Those saying, `Rase, rase to its foundation!'
8
O daughter of Babylon, O destroyed one, O the happiness of him who repayeth to thee thy deed, That thou hast done to us.
9
O the happiness of him who doth seize, And hath dashed thy sucklings on the rock!
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