Easy Bible・Psalms 137

Lamentation and Hope in Exile

Key Passages

About this Chapter

By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. This psalm was written during the time when the Israelites were in exile in Babylon. It expresses the deep sorrow and longing they felt for their homeland, Jerusalem. The Israelites were taken captive by the Babylonians, and in this psalm, they are depicted as sitting by the rivers of Babylon, weeping as they remember Zion, their beloved city. The psalm also reflects the Israelites' desire for justice and revenge against their captors. They express their anguish and anger, asking for God's judgment upon their enemies. However, the psalm ends with a plea for God's mercy and a declaration of trust in His faithfulness. Despite their suffering, the Israelites hold onto the hope of returning to their homeland and worshiping God in Jerusalem once again.