The constancy of the Jews in captivity, 1-6. The prophet curses Edom and Babel, 7-9.
1 By the rivers of Babylon/
we sat down. We even wept/
when we remembered Zion.
2 We hung our harps/
upon the willows in its midst.
3 For there those who carried us away captive/
required of us a song,/
and those who 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 foreign land?
5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem,/
let my right hand forget her skill.
6 If I do not remember you,/
let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth,/
if I do not prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy.
7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom/
in the day of Jerusalem,/
who said, "Raze it, raze it,/
even to its foundation."
8 O daughter of Babylon, who is to be destroyed,/
happy shall he be who rewards you/
as you have served us.
9 Happy shall he be who takes and dashes your little ones/
against the stones.
Matthew Henry Commentary - Psalms, Chapter 137[➚]
John Calvin's Chapter Summary:
At the Babylonish captivity the established order of God's worship was overthrown, and the Psalmist complains, in the name of the Church at large, of the taunts which the enemy east upon the name of God, addressing at the same time a word of comfort to his people under their captivity, to cheer them with the hope of deliverance.