Psa 137:9 | KingComments | STEP | Uttering curses on himself made it clear how much he loved Jerusalem. Then in he addresses the LORD regarding the Edomites, a brother people of the Israelites. The sons of Edom have a totally opposite view of Jerusalem and harbor totally opposite feelings toward that city. This was particularly evident “on the day of Jerusalem” i.e. the day of the fall of Jerusalem. On that day, the Edomites, full of gloating, sided with those who destroyed Jerusalem (cf. ; ). As cheering spectators, they encouraged the destroyers with the words, “Raze it, raze it to its very foundation” (cf. ). The faithful remnant says to the LORD to remember against the sons of Edom, by which they mean that He will repay the Edomites and judge them ( ). And then there is the “daughter of Babylon”, which are the Babylonians, the ruthless destroyers ( ). The God-fearing addresses them on behalf of God. Certainly, they were a means in God’s hand to discipline His people because of their persistent sinning against Him. However, they went far beyond God’s limits of necessary discipline and in doing so committed a crime against God’s people. Their crime must be justly repaid. The God-fearing blesses him who will do this recompense. The desire of sounds heartless, even inhuman, to the ears of the New Testament believer (cf. ). Should innocent, defenseless children be seized and dashed against the rock? However, we must remember that this is a perfectly just recompense (cf. ; ). It is a course of action that is consistent with the Old Testament rule of retribution according to the principle of “eye for eye” and “tooth for tooth” ( ; cf. ). In the future, Edom and Babylon will be totally destroyed ( , ).

‏ Psalms 137:9

Call For Judgment on Edom and Babylon

Uttering curses on himself made it clear how much he loved Jerusalem. Then in Psa 137:7 he addresses the LORD regarding the Edomites, a brother people of the Israelites. The sons of Edom have a totally opposite view of Jerusalem and harbor totally opposite feelings toward that city. This was particularly evident “on the day of Jerusalem” i.e. the day of the fall of Jerusalem.

On that day, the Edomites, full of gloating, sided with those who destroyed Jerusalem (cf. Eze 25:12 ; Eze 35:5-15; Oba 1:10-12). As cheering spectators, they encouraged the destroyers with the words, “Raze it, raze it to its very foundation” (cf. Hab 3:13b). The faithful remnant says to the LORD to remember against the sons of Edom, by which they mean that He will repay the Edomites and judge them (Oba 1:15).

And then there is the “daughter of Babylon”, which are the Babylonians, the ruthless destroyers (Psa 137:8). The God-fearing addresses them on behalf of God. Certainly, they were a means in God’s hand to discipline His people because of their persistent sinning against Him. However, they went far beyond God’s limits of necessary discipline and in doing so committed a crime against God’s people. Their crime must be justly repaid. The God-fearing blesses him who will do this recompense.

The desire of Psa 137:9 sounds heartless, even inhuman, to the ears of the New Testament believer (cf. Isa 13:16 ; 18). Should innocent, defenseless children be seized and dashed against the rock? However, we must remember that this is a perfectly just recompense (cf. 2Kgs 8:12; Hos 13:16). It is a course of action that is consistent with the Old Testament rule of retribution according to the principle of “eye for eye” and “tooth for tooth” (Exo 21:24; cf. Deu 7:10 ; Deu 32:35). In the future, Edom and Babylon will be totally destroyed (Oba 1:18, Isa 63:1-6 ; Isa 13:19-21 ; Isa 14:22).