Context and Translation
A single verse, read in isolation without a context, is sure to be misunderstood. The setting of Psalm 137 is Babylonian exile. The psalmist and fellow-captives are mourning and reminiscing as they are mocked by their Babylonian captors. The Jewish exiles long for the home they have been forced to leave, so they pray. These words are not issued from God but directed to God.
Verse 7 laments the disgraceful betrayal by the Edomites—descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob’s brother Esau—who had cheered on the Babylonians and rejoiced when the pagan attackers razed the holy city of Jerusalem.1 The cry for justice then turns against the Babylonians, who themselves were destined for destruction (vv. 8-9).
The Hebrew noun esher [אֶשֶׁר] means “happy” or “blessed,” which in this passage is not necessarily blessed by God but the feeling of delight or happiness (cf. ASV, CSB, ERV, NIV, N/KJV, NLT, N/RSV, WEB). As a prophetic statement, the one who will be happy is the one who repays the personified “daughter of Babylon” for what she has done to God’s people (v. 8).
Being “happy” about one’s own achievements is not the same as being “blessed” by the Lord (Psa. 128:1-2). Jeremiah wondered in amazement, “Why are those happy who deal so treacherously?” (Jer. 12:1, NKJV).2 In Malachi 3:13-15, the people complain against God because their perceived “righteous” acts do not seem to give them an advantage over the heathen, and since the Lord has not rewarded them with material blessings, they foolishly consider prideful sinners as the ones who are “happy” or “blessed.”
Murdering Babies
Historically, Babylon’s main enemy was the savage nation of the Medes, known for their brutal atrocities, including dashing babies on rocks (Isa. 13:16-17), a heinous act of cruelty also practiced by the neighboring Assyrians (Hos. 13:16; Nah. 3:10) and Syrians (2 Kings 8:12). But this was not something ever practiced or condoned by the people of God, and certainly never sanctioned by God. The pagan enemy of Babylon is the one who will be happy about killing Babylonian babies. For helpful commentary, see esp. Isaiah 13:1, 15-19; cf. also Jer. 50:9-11; 51:11.
Some have classified Psalm 137 as an imprecatory psalm, wherein the psalmist cries out against the cruel enemies of God’s people and pleads for retributive justice.3 This type of psalm does demonstrate that the God of the Bible is sympathetic and understanding, allowing distressed and tortured souls in the depths of despair and affliction to be honest and real. He invites his suffering and confused children, with their fallible emotions, to speak frankly whatever is on their hearts. However, the words of Psalm 137:8-9 are not descriptive of a righteous Israelite but of a heartless and godless foe.
Conclusion
The poetic words of Psalm 137:8-9 convey the thoughts, not of God or of God’s people, but of the pagan enemy of wicked Babylon. While the Bible is the inspired word of God, it also contains descriptions of and words spoken by Satan and his agents and sinful human beings. When reading any passage of scripture, it is important to consider the context and ask, “Who is speaking?” or “About whom is this speaking?”
The sad reality is, even to this present day, calloused hearts still do not value the sacredness of human life and can be just as cruel. “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isa. 5:20). May we, as God’s people, handle accurately the word of truth and teach accordingly, while serving as beacons of God’s righteousness in this dark world, no matter our circumstances.
--Kevin L. Moore
Endnotes:
1 See Lamentations 4:20-21; Ezekiel 25:12-14; Obadiah 10-14.
2 For an excellent response, read Psalm 73.
3 Imprecatory psalms include Psalms 5:10; 17:13; 18:40-42; 35:1-8; 55:9, 15; 58:6-10; 59:13; 69:22-28; 79:6-7; 139:19.
Related Posts: Genocidal God?, One of the Worst Things about Hell, Layers of Context (Part 1)
Image credit: https://tomtrippblog.wordpress.com/2024/05/16/a-bitter-and-honest-psalm/
