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Psalms 137

Pslm 137, Ps 137, Psa 137, Psm 137, Pss 137


Psalms 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 wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.

4 How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land?

5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.

6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.

8 O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.

9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.

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Summary and the Meaning of Psalm 137 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible

Psalm 137 is a poignant lamentation of the Israelites during their exile in Babylon. It is a song of sorrow, mourning, and anger, expressing the profound grief and longing for their homeland, Jerusalem, which was razed to the ground by the Babylonians. This psalm is not only a historical record of the Israelites' anguish but also a theological reflection on the consequences of disobedience to God's laws, the value of memory, the longing for justice, and the struggle with revenge.

Historical Context and Emotional Depth of Psalm 137

The opening verses of Psalm 137 set the historical context. The Israelites, taken as captives, are living by the rivers of Babylon, a symbol of their exile. They hang their harps on the willow trees, signifying their inability to sing or find joy in their current circumstances. The Babylonians, their captors, demand songs of joy from them, mocking their pain and suffering. This context of exile, captivity, and forced labor is important to understand the depth of the emotional and spiritual crisis experienced by the Israelites.

The psalmist's refusal to sing indicates a deep-seated resistance against forgetting their homeland and their faith. It signifies their determination to remember Jerusalem, even in the face of immense suffering and humiliation. It is a powerful affirmation of their identity as God's chosen people and their unyielding hope in God's deliverance.

Theological Reflection on Disobedience and Consequences

Psalm 137 also offers a theological reflection on the consequences of disobedience to God's laws. The destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile of the Israelites were seen as divine punishment for their disobedience. The psalmist's lament is not only over their physical suffering but also over their spiritual failure. This understanding of suffering as a consequence of disobedience is a recurring theme in the Old Testament. It is a call to repentance and renewed obedience to God's laws.

The Value of Memory and the Longing for Justice

Another significant theme in Psalm 137 is the value of memory. The psalmist emphasizes remembering Jerusalem, which signifies not only their homeland but also their covenant relationship with God. This act of remembering serves as a form of resistance against their oppressors and a source of hope for their future. It is a reminder of God's faithfulness in the past and a reassurance of His deliverance in the future.

The psalmist's longing for justice is also evident in this psalm. They call for God's judgment upon their oppressors, reflecting a deep desire for justice and retribution. This longing for justice, however, takes a disturbing turn towards revenge in the final verses of the psalm. The psalmist's call for revenge reflects the raw and unfiltered emotions of a people in deep pain and suffering, providing a stark reminder of the human tendency towards revenge when wronged.

The Struggle with Revenge

The final part of Psalm 137 is one of the most controversial passages in the Bible. The psalmist prays for revenge against the Babylonians, calling for their children to be dashed against rocks. This shocking imprecation reflects the depth of the psalmist's anger and the intensity of their desire for revenge. It is a vivid depiction of the human struggle with the urge for revenge when faced with injustice and suffering.

However, it is important to understand this imprecation not as a divine endorsement of revenge but as an honest expression of human emotions. It is a raw and unfiltered cry of pain, a release of pent-up anger and frustration. It is also a desperate plea for divine justice, a longing for God to intervene and right the wrongs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Psalm 137 is a profound exploration of the human experience of suffering, exile, and longing for justice. It is a lament of a people in deep pain, a cry for divine intervention, and a confession of the struggle with revenge. It is a testament to the power of memory, the value of identity, and the unyielding hope in God's deliverance. It is a raw and unfiltered expression of human emotions, offering a unique perspective on the complexities of the human condition.

The themes explored in Psalm 137 are as relevant today as they were in the time of the Babylonian exile. The struggle with suffering, the longing for justice, and the temptation for revenge are universal human experiences. The value of memory and the importance of identity are also pertinent issues in our contemporary world. Thus, Psalm 137 continues to speak to us today, challenging us to reflect on our own experiences of suffering, our responses to injustice, and our understanding of memory and identity.



This article is informed by the King James Version of the Holy Bible, the authors' personal knowledge, considerations and experience, and additional materials and resources available in internet.

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