King James Version

What Does Psalms 137:8 Mean?

Psalms 137:8 in the King James Version says “O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us. destroyed...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 137 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us. destroyed: Heb. wasted rewardeth: Heb. recompenseth unto thee thy deed which thou didst to us”

Psalms 137:8 · KJV

Context

6

If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. my chief: Heb. the head of my joy

7

Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof. Rase it: Heb. Make bare

8

O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us. destroyed: Heb. wasted rewardeth: Heb. recompenseth unto thee thy deed which thou didst to us

9

Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones. the stones: Heb. the rock

Read Psalms 137 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us. This imprecatory psalm verse expresses intense desire for divine justice against Babylon. "Daughter of Babylon" (bat-bavel, בַּת־בָּבֶל) personifies the city and empire as a woman, a common biblical metaphor (Isaiah 47:1). "Who art to be destroyed" (hashedudah, הַשְּׁדוּדָה) is passive participle, meaning "the devastated one"—prophetically certain though future.

"Happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us" invokes lex talionis (law of retaliation)—"eye for eye, tooth for tooth" (Exodus 21:24). The Hebrew word ashrei (אַשְׁרֵי, "happy/blessed") introduces beatitude language, declaring blessed the agent of God's retributive justice. This isn't personal vengeance but appeal to divine justice: Babylon receives what it inflicted. The verb gamal (גָּמַל, "rewarded/repaid") suggests appropriate recompense, echoing Deuteronomy's covenant justice principles.

Modern readers find imprecatory psalms disturbing, but they serve crucial theological functions: (1) they affirm God's justice against evil; (2) they channel rage toward God rather than personal vengeance (Romans 12:19); (3) they express honest emotions in covenant relationship; (4) they voice corporate suffering requiring divine vindication. These psalms don't justify personal revenge but anticipate God's righteous judgment. Ultimately, Christ absorbs God's wrath against sin (Isaiah 53:10), satisfying justice while extending mercy to repentant sinners, even from nations that oppressed Israel.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Psalm 137 reflects the Babylonian exile (586-538 BC) when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem, burned the temple, and deported Judah's population to Babylon (2 Kings 25). The psalm's opening—"By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion" (137:1)—captures the exiles' profound grief. Babylonian captors mocked them, demanding songs of Zion (137:3), adding insult to catastrophic loss.

Verse 8's prophecy of Babylon's destruction was fulfilled in 539 BC when Cyrus the Persian conquered Babylon (Isaiah 44:28-45:1; Daniel 5). Though the conquest was relatively bloodless, Babylon's empire collapsed, never regaining supremacy. Later, under Persian, Greek, and Parthian rule, Babylon declined into ruins, fulfilling prophecies of complete desolation (Isaiah 13:19-22; Jeremiah 51:37).

The theological significance extends beyond historical vengeance. Babylon symbolizes worldly opposition to God's kingdom throughout Scripture (Genesis 11:1-9; Revelation 17-18). The "fall of Babylon" represents God's ultimate triumph over evil empires. For exiled Jews, this psalm affirmed that their suffering wasn't meaningless—God would vindicate them and judge their oppressors. This hope sustained faithfulness during captivity and anticipates eschatological judgment when God finally rights all wrongs (Revelation 18:6-8).

Reflection Questions

  1. How should Christians understand and apply imprecatory psalms that call for God's judgment on enemies?
  2. What is the difference between calling for divine justice and seeking personal revenge?
  3. How do these psalms of lament and imprecation model honest prayer about injustice and suffering?
  4. In what ways does Christ's teaching on loving enemies relate to passages like Psalm 137?
  5. What does Babylon's eventual destruction reveal about God's sovereignty over human empires and historical events?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
בַּת1 of 10

“O daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

בָּבֶ֗ל2 of 10

“of Babylon”

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

הַשְּׁד֫וּדָ֥ה3 of 10

“who art to be destroyed”

H7703

properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage

אַשְׁרֵ֥י4 of 10

“happy”

H835

happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy!

שֶׁיְשַׁלֶּם5 of 10

“shall he be that rewardeth”

H7999

to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate

לָ֑ךְ6 of 10
H0
אֶת7 of 10
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

גְּ֝מוּלֵ֗ךְ8 of 10
H1576

treatment, i.e., an act (of good or ill); by implication, service or requital

שֶׁגָּמַ֥לְתְּ9 of 10

“thee as thou hast served”

H1580

to treat a person (well or ill), i.e., benefit or requite; by implication (of toil), to ripen, i.e., (specifically) to wean

לָֽנוּ׃10 of 10
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 137:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 137:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 18:6Jeremiah 25:12-14Isaiah 14:4-24Revelation 14:8-11Isaiah 47:1-15Isaiah 21:1

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
View all places in Psalms 137 →

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