Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryPsalms 137

The Sorrows of CaptivityThis psalm shows the deep sadness of God's people during their exile in Babylon. It describes their pain, how their enemies mocked them, and their strong love for Jerusalem. The psalm is a song of grief, but also of faith and hope, reminding us of the importance of remembering God’s promises even in hard times.v. 1: The Israelites sat by the rivers of Babylon, far from home. They were prisoners in a strange land, just like their ancestors were once slaves in Egypt (Exodus 1:13-14 ). Their conquerors made them live by the rivers, possibly to work for them or because these places felt lonely and matched their sadness. Being away from Jerusalem made them cry, especially when they remembered the temple and the good times in Zion (Lamentations 1:7; Psalm 42:4 ). They loved God’s house more than their own homes. Even when Jerusalem was in ruins, they cared about its dust, showing faith that God would help them again (Psalm 102:13-14 ).

v. 2: They hung their harps on the willow trees. They could not play music because they were so sad, even though they brought their harps hoping music might comfort them. They believed it was not the right time for singing since God had called for weeping and mourning (Isaiah 22:12 ). The Levites’ harps, used in worship, were not thrown away but set aside, waiting for a better time. They did not hide the harps but left them in view as a reminder of their sorrow. Still, they might have been wrong to stop praising God, because we should give thanks in every situation (Isaiah 24:15-16 ).

v. 3: Their enemies mocked them and wanted them to sing happy songs. The Babylonians, who had taken them captive, demanded songs of Zion. This was cruel because even enemies should show kindness to those who suffer. It was also disrespectful to God, since these songs were for worship, not for entertainment (Lamentations 1:7 ). Their captors made fun of their faith and their memories of Jerusalem.

v. 4: The Israelites patiently refused to sing. They would not use their songs or harps to please their enemies, even though they were in their power. They asked, How shall we sing the Lord

v. 5-6: Even in Babylon, they never stopped loving Jerusalem. Their thoughts and prayers were always about their holy city, even if some of them had never seen it. They promised to remember Jerusalem, saying, If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! (Psalm 137:5 ). They put Jerusalem above their greatest joy. If they ever forgot to speak well of Jerusalem, they wished to lose their ability to sing or play. Even when they could not use their songs in Babylon, they kept them in their hearts, trusting that someday they would sing again in their own land.

The Sorrows of CaptivityThis part of the psalm shows how the Jews in Babylon remembered not only their own suffering, but also the cruel actions of their enemies. Their prayers were not for personal revenge, but came from a deep desire to see God’s justice and honor restored to His people. They trusted that God would judge those who hurt Jerusalem and rejoiced at the thought of evil being punished.v. 7: The psalmist asks God to remember the Edomites, who encouraged the destruction of Jerusalem. The Edomites shouted, “Rase it, rase it, to the foundation!” . They helped the Babylonians and were happy when Jerusalem was ruined. This attitude came from old hatred, going back to Esau and Jacob (Genesis 27:41 ). The psalmist does not ask for personal revenge, but appeals to God’s justice, trusting God’s promise: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay” (Romans 12:19 ). Anyone who is glad when others suffer, especially God’s people, will face God’s judgment (Zechariah 1:15 ).

v. 8: The psalmist now speaks to Babylon, the main enemy. He calls Babylon proud and sure of herself, but says her destruction is certain: “O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed” . This is a reminder that those who destroy others will also be destroyed (Revelation 13:10 ). Babylon will receive the same cruelty she gave to Jerusalem (Revelation 18:6 ). God does not forget those who show no mercy.

v. 9: The destruction of Babylon will be complete, even reaching its children: “Happy shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock!” (Psalm 137:9 ). This verse describes the harsh reality of war and judgment. Babylon’s end will be total and final, like a stone sinking in the sea (Revelation 18:21 ). The agents of Babylon’s fall, like Cyrus and his soldiers, are called God’s “servants” and “sanctified ones” (Isaiah 44:28; Isaiah 13:3 ), because they fulfill His plan. When evil is punished, it brings hope for God’s people and joy for all the saints (Revelation 19:1 ).