What does Psalm 137:3 mean?
The captive people of Israel (Daniel 1:1–3) are too deep in grief to sing songs or play music. They sit under trees growing near Babylon's extensive canal system and set their instruments aside (Psalm 137:1–2). This emotion is made worse by teasing from their oppressors. The Babylonians are mockingly calling on the Israelites to sing about Zion—another name for Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Kings 8:1). This was the very city destroyed and ravaged by Babylonian invaders (2 Chronicles 36:17–21). To be defeated and exiled from home is difficult enough; adding ridicule would make the situation even worse. Grief will soon turn to bitterness as the people pray for the Lord to avenge their situation (Psalm 137:7–9).Satan often uses mockery as a tactic to break believers' resolve to honor the Lord. Goliath ridiculed David (1 Samuel 17:42–44). Second Kings 2:23 describes teenaged boys ridiculing Elisha. When Nehemiah and his fellow Jews were rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, enemies "jeered" at them (Nehemiah 4:1–4). Despite his innocence, Job received ridicule from so-called friends during his time of suffering (Job 12:4). Jesus, too, was the object of ridicule. Matthew 27:27–31 describes how the governor's soldiers mocked Him while abusing His body.
Psalm 137:1–6 mourns for Israel's captivity in Babylon, identified with the Euphrates river system. Israel's new masters tease them, asking for songs about the Jewish homeland. But the people cannot sing while in such misery. Instead, they set their instruments aside and vow to remember what has happened to their people.
After being captured by Babylon (2 Chronicles 36:17–21), the people of Israel are teased by their new masters. The Babylonians ask the Jews to perform songs from their homeland. But the Israelites cannot bring themselves to sing. They vow to remember what happened to their city and their people. The psalmist prays that God would bring harsh vengeance on Edom and Babylon. He hopes they suffer the same gruesome evils which they inflicted upon Israel.
