Psalm 137:8

Translations

Modern

O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, blessed is he who repays you as you have done to us.

Traditional

O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.

Literal

O Daughter of Babylon, O destroyed one, blessed is he who repays to you, dealing with you as you have dealt with us!

Latin

Filia Babylonis misera! beatus qui retribuet tibi retributionem tuam quam retribuisti nobis.

Original

Hebrew

English

O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, blessed is he who repays you as you have done to us.

Notes

Psalms 137:7–9

The poet saw how the Edomites betrayed the people of Judah, so he calls on God to judge Edom. The long conflict between Edom and Judah reached its worst point near the end of Judah’s history. At that time, the Edomites handed the Judeans over to the Babylonians (Obadiah 1:10–11) and celebrated Jerusalem's fall.
This prayer asking God to bring justice uses strong language and can be shocking.

Psalms 137:1–9

In response to the pain of exile (Psalm 137:1–4), the psalmist decides to remember Jerusalem, even though the memories cause him pain (137:4–6). He also speaks a strong prayer asking God to bring justice on his enemies (Psalm 137:7–9).

Theme notes and profiles

Prayers for Vengeance Psalms of Suffering

Related verses

Revelation 18:6
Give back to her as she has done to others; pay her back double for what she has done; mix her a double portion in her own cup.
Isaiah 14:4–24
…you will sing this song of contempt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has ceased, and how his fury has ended!
Jeremiah 25:12–14
But when seventy years are complete, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their guilt, declares the LORD, and I will make it an everlasting desolation.
Isaiah 21:1
This is the burden against the Desert by the Sea: Like whirlwinds sweeping through the Negev, an invader comes from the desert, from a land of terror.
Isaiah 47:1–15
“Go down and sit in the dust, O Virgin Daughter of Babylon. Sit on the ground without a throne, O Daughter of the Chaldeans! For you will no longer be called tender or delicate.
Revelation 14:8–11
Then a second angel followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, who has made all the nations drink the wine of the passion of her immorality.”
Jeremiah 50:1–51:64
This is the word that the LORD spoke through Jeremiah the prophet concerning Babylon and the land of the Chaldeans:
Isaiah 13:1–22
This is the burden against Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz received:
Isaiah 44:28
…who says of Cyrus, ‘My shepherd will fulfill all that I desire,’ who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Let its foundation be laid.’”
Psalm 149:6–9
May the high praises of God be in their mouths, and a double-edged sword in their hands,
Revelation 17:1–18
Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters.
Revelation 18:20
Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced for you His judgment against her.

Parallels

Ezekiel 1:1–3

Places

Babylon: Ancient Mesopotamian city, capital of Babylonian Empire, site of the Tower of Babel

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Exodus, the Imprecatory Psalms Music Psalms, Book of

Topics

Babylon: City of Prophecies Concerning Babylon: Empire of Prophetic Denunciations Against The Jews: None Hated or Oppressed, with Impunity

Psalm 137:8

Translations?

Original?

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