Salmos 137 Apr 2026

The middle section of the psalm is a solemn oath never to forget Jerusalem. The poet calls down curses upon themselves if they ever lose their devotion to their home: May their right hand forget its skill (at the harp).

(Psalm 137) is one of the most emotionally raw and historically significant poems in the Bible. It captures the deep sorrow, homesickness, and eventually the burning rage of the Judean people during their exile in Babylon after the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. 1. The Setting: "By the Rivers of Babylon"

Their Babylonian captors mockingly ask them to sing "one of the songs of Zion" for entertainment. Salmos 137

The psalm begins with a haunting image of the Jewish exiles sitting by the waters of Babylon (the Tigris and Euphrates), weeping as they remember their homeland, Zion.

They hang their harps on willow trees, refusing to play. The middle section of the psalm is a

The final verses are often omitted from liturgical readings because of their extreme violence.

May their tongue cling to the roof of their mouth if they do not prize Jerusalem above their greatest joy. 3. The Controversial Ending: Retribution It captures the deep sorrow, homesickness, and eventually

Verse 4 contains the famous rhetorical question: "How can we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?" . 2. A Vow of Remembrance