Psalms 137 Footnotes

Ps 137 The setting for this psalm is the exile in Babylon, the greatest judgment upon Israel in the OT. In 586 BC the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and its temple and carried tens of thousands of people into captivity in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq). Those who remained alive could only lament the devastation.

137:5-6 The captives swore an oath never to forget Jerusalem. Such an oath bound them to plan for the restoration, because the covenant promises made by the prophets held out the hope of a regathering to the land (Is 54; Jr 31; Ezk 36 among others). The terms of the oath, which mentions the skill of the “right hand” and the “tongue,” would apply especially to the Levitical musicians of the sanctuary, with their instruments.