Psalm 137 (AMP)

Psalm 137

An Experience of the Captivity.

1By the rivers of Babylon,

There we [captives] sat down and wept,

When we remembered Zion [the city God imprinted on our hearts].

2On the willow trees in the midst of Babylon

We hung our harps.

3For there they who took us captive demanded of us a song with words,

And our tormentors [who made a mockery of us demanded] amusement, saying,

“Sing us one of the songs of Zion.”

4¶How can we sing the Lord’s song

In a strange and foreign land?

5If I forget you, O Jerusalem,

Let my right hand forget [her skill with the harp].

6Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth

If I do not remember you,

If I do not prefer Jerusalem

Above my chief joy. [Ezek 3:26]

7¶Remember, O Lord, against the sons of Edom,

The day of [the fall of] Jerusalem,

Who said “Down, down [with her]

To her very foundation.”

8O daughter of Babylon, you devastator,

How blessed will be the one

Who repays you [with destruction] as you have repaid us. [Is 13:1-22; Jer 25:12, 13]

9How blessed will be the one who seizes and dashes your little ones

Against the rock.

Understand Psalm 137

Walk through Psalm 137 verse by verse, then read what three commentaries say about the chapter. The explanations are written for new readers.