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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 137:8 O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, blessed is he who repays you as you have done to us.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/137-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/19_Psa_137_008.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 137:8 - By the Rivers of Babylon" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, blessed is he who repays you as you have done to us." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/137-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/137-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/137.htm">Chapter 137</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/137-7.htm" title="Psalm 137:7">◄</a> Psalm 137:8 <a href="/psalms/137-9.htm" title="Psalm 137:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/137.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/137.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is the one who repays you according to what you have done to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/137.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />O Babylon, you will be destroyed. Happy is the one who pays you back for what you have done to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/137.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed, blessed shall he be who repays you with what you have done to us!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/137.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, blessed is he who repays you as you have done to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/137.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy <i>shall he be</i>, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/137.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed, Happy the one who repays you as you have served us!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/137.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Daughter of Babylon, you devastated one, Blessed will be one who repays you With the retribution with which you have repaid us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/137.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />O daughter of Babylon, you devastated one, How blessed will be the one who repays you With the recompense with which you have repaid us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/137.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />O daughter of Babylon, you devastated one, How blessed will be the one who repays you With the recompense with which you have repaid us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/137.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />O daughter of Babylon, you devastated one, How blessed will be the one who repays you With the recompense with which you have recompensed us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/137.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />O daughter of Babylon, you devastator, How blessed will be the one Who repays you [with destruction] as you have repaid us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/137.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is the one who pays you back what you have done to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/137.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is the one who pays you back what you have done to us. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/137.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />O daughter of Babylon, that art to be destroyed, Happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee As thou hast served us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/137.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Babylon, you are doomed! I pray the Lord's blessings on anyone who punishes you for what you did to us. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/137.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />O daughter of Babylon, that art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/137.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You destructive people of Babylon, blessed is the one who pays you back with the same treatment you gave us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/137.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Babylon, you will be destroyed. Happy are those who pay you back for what you have done to us--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/137.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Daughter of Babylon! You devastator! How blessed will be the one who pays you back for what you have done to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/137.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, blessed is he who repays you as you have done to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/137.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />O daughter Babylon, soon to be devastated! How blessed will be the one who repays you for what you dished out to us! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/137.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, he will be blessed who rewards you, as you have served us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/137.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/137.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, he will be happy who repays you, as you have done to us. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/137.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />O daughter of Babylon, O destroyed one, "" O the blessedness of him who repays to you your deed, "" That you have done to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/137.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> O daughter of Babylon, O destroyed one, O the happiness of him who repayeth to thee thy deed, That thou hast done to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/137.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />O daughter of Babel laying waste; happy he recompensing to thee thy retribution thou didst to us.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/137.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />O daughter of Babylon, miserable: blessed shall he be who shall repay thee thy payment which thou hast paid us. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/137.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 136:8>O daughter of Babylon, have pity. Blessed is he who will repay you with your payment, which you have paid to us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/137.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Desolate Daughter Babylon, you shall be destroyed, blessed the one who pays you back what you have done us! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/137.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />O daughter Babylon, you devastator! Happy shall they be who pay you back what you have done to us!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/137.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />O daughter of Babylon, taker of spoils, blessed shall he be who rewards you as you have served us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/137.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Daughter of Babel, destroyer, Blessed is he who will pay you the reward which you have paid us!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/137.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />O daughter of Babylon, that art to be destroyed; Happy shall he be, that repayeth thee As thou hast served us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/137.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Wretched daughter of Babylon! blessed <i>shall he be</i> who shall reward thee as thou hast rewarded us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/137-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=17122" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/137.htm">By the Rivers of Babylon</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>Remember, O LORD, the sons of Edom on the day Jerusalem fell: “Destroy it,” they said, “tear it down to its foundations!” <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1323.htm" title="1323: baṯ- (N-fsc) -- Daughter. From banah; a daughter.">O Daughter</a> <a href="/hebrew/894.htm" title="894: bā·ḇel (N-proper-fs) -- From balal; confusion; Babel, including Babylonia and the Babylonian empire.">of Babylon,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7703.htm" title="7703: haš·šə·ḏū·ḏāh (Art:: V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-fs) -- A primitive root; properly, to be burly, i.e. powerful; by implication, to ravage.">doomed to destruction,</a> <a href="/hebrew/835.htm" title="835: ’aš·rê (Interjection) -- Happiness, blessedness. From 'ashar; happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy!">blessed</a> <a href="/hebrew/7999.htm" title="7999: šey·šal·lem- (Pro-r:: V-Piel-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to be safe; figuratively, to be completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate.">is he who repays</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- ">you</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1576.htm" title="1576: gə·mū·lêḵ (N-msc:: 2fs) -- A dealing, recompense, benefit. From gamal; treatment, i.e. An act; by implication, service or requital.">as</a> <a href="/hebrew/1580.htm" title="1580: šeg·gā·malt (Pro-r:: V-Qal-Perf-2fs) -- A primitive root; to treat a person, i.e. Benefit or requite; by implication, to ripen, i.e. to wean.">you have done</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- ">to us.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>Blessed is he who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-6.htm">Revelation 18:6</a></span><br />Give back to her as she has done to others; pay her back double for what she has done; mix her a double portion in her own cup.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/13-19.htm">Isaiah 13:19</a></span><br />And Babylon, the jewel of the kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-15.htm">Jeremiah 50:15</a></span><br />Raise a war cry against her on every side! She has thrown up her hands in surrender; her towers have fallen; her walls are torn down. Since this is the vengeance of the LORD, take out your vengeance upon her; as she has done, do the same to her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-24.htm">Jeremiah 51:24</a></span><br />Before your very eyes I will repay Babylon and all the dwellers of Chaldea for all the evil they have done in Zion,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-56.htm">Jeremiah 51:56</a></span><br />For a destroyer is coming against her—against Babylon. Her warriors will be captured, and their bows will be broken, for the LORD is a God of retribution; He will repay in full.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/47-1.htm">Isaiah 47:1-3</a></span><br />“Go down and sit in the dust, O Virgin Daughter of Babylon. Sit on the ground without a throne, O Daughter of the Chaldeans! For you will no longer be called tender or delicate. / Take millstones and grind flour; remove your veil; strip off your skirt, bare your thigh, and wade through the streams. / Your nakedness will be uncovered and your shame will be exposed. I will take vengeance; I will spare no one.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/4-21.htm">Lamentations 4:21-22</a></span><br />So rejoice and be glad, O Daughter of Edom, you who dwell in the land of Uz. Yet the cup will pass to you as well; you will get drunk and expose yourself. / O Daughter of Zion, your punishment is complete; He will not prolong your exile. But He will punish your iniquity, O Daughter of Edom; He will expose your sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/2-8.htm">Habakkuk 2:8</a></span><br />Because you have plundered many nations, the remnant of the people will plunder you—because of your bloodshed against man and your violence against the land, the city, and all their dwellers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/14-4.htm">Isaiah 14:4-6</a></span><br />you will sing this song of contempt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has ceased, and how his fury has ended! / The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers. / It struck the peoples in anger with unceasing blows; it subdued the nations in rage with relentless persecution.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-29.htm">Jeremiah 50:29</a></span><br />Summon the archers against Babylon, all who string the bow. Encamp all around her; let no one escape. Repay her according to her deeds; do to her as she has done. For she has defied the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/17-5.htm">Revelation 17:5</a></span><br />And on her forehead a mysterious name was written: BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/14-8.htm">Revelation 14:8</a></span><br />Then a second angel followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, who has made all the nations drink the wine of the passion of her immorality.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/21-9.htm">Isaiah 21:9</a></span><br />Look, here come the riders, horsemen in pairs.” And one answered, saying: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon! All the images of her gods lie shattered on the ground!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-49.htm">Jeremiah 51:49</a></span><br />“Babylon must fall on account of the slain of Israel, just as the slain of all the earth have fallen because of Babylon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/47-6.htm">Isaiah 47:6</a></span><br />I was angry with My people; I profaned My heritage, and I placed them under your control. You showed them no mercy; even on the elderly you laid a most heavy yoke.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewards you as you have served us.</p><p class="hdg">daughter</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/47-1.htm">Isaiah 47:1-5</a></b></br> Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: <i>there is</i> no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/50-41.htm">Jeremiah 50:41</a></b></br> Behold, a people shall come from the north, and a great nation, and many kings shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/52-33.htm">Jeremiah 52:33</a></b></br> And changed his prison garments: and he did continually eat bread before him all the days of his life.</p><p class="hdg">who art</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/13-1.htm">Isaiah 13:1</a></b></br> The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/14-4.htm">Isaiah 14:4-24</a></b></br> That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased! … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/21-1.htm">Isaiah 21:1</a></b></br> The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; <i>so</i> it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.</p><p class="hdg">destroyed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/149-6.htm">Psalm 149:6-9</a></b></br> <i>Let</i> the high <i>praises</i> of God <i>be</i> in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/13-3.htm">Isaiah 13:3-5</a></b></br> I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, <i>even</i> them that rejoice in my highness… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/44-28.htm">Isaiah 44:28</a></b></br> That saith of Cyrus, <i>He is</i> my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.</p><p class="hdg">rewardeth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/50-15.htm">Jeremiah 50:15-29</a></b></br> Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it <i>is</i> the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/revelation/18-6.htm">Revelation 18:6</a></b></br> Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/137-1.htm">Babylon</a> <a href="/psalms/135-21.htm">Blessed</a> <a href="/psalms/45-13.htm">Daughter</a> <a href="/psalms/119-87.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/psalms/119-95.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/psalms/78-45.htm">Devastated</a> <a href="/psalms/102-20.htm">Doomed</a> <a href="/psalms/128-1.htm">Happiness</a> <a href="/psalms/128-2.htm">Happy</a> <a href="/psalms/119-138.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/job/28-25.htm">Meted</a> <a href="/psalms/94-2.htm">Recompense</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-43.htm">Rendereth</a> <a href="/psalms/109-5.htm">Repaid</a> <a href="/psalms/37-21.htm">Repayeth</a> <a href="/job/34-11.htm">Repays</a> <a href="/psalms/31-23.htm">Requites</a> <a href="/psalms/31-23.htm">Rewardeth</a> <a href="/psalms/62-10.htm">Rewards</a> <a href="/psalms/106-36.htm">Served</a> <a href="/psalms/136-16.htm">Waste</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/13-1.htm">Babylon</a> <a href="/psalms/137-9.htm">Blessed</a> <a href="/songs/6-9.htm">Daughter</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-15.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/psalms/140-11.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/isaiah/6-11.htm">Devastated</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-2.htm">Doomed</a> <a href="/psalms/137-9.htm">Happiness</a> <a href="/psalms/137-9.htm">Happy</a> <a href="/psalms/139-5.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/isaiah/18-2.htm">Meted</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-14.htm">Recompense</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-12.htm">Rendereth</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-31.htm">Repaid</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-31.htm">Repayeth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/32-18.htm">Repays</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/7-10.htm">Requites</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-13.htm">Rewardeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-14.htm">Rewards</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-17.htm">Served</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-19.htm">Waste</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 137</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/137-1.htm">The constancy of the Jews in captivity</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/137-7.htm">The prophet curses Edom and Babel</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/137.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/137.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>O Daughter of Babylon</b><br>This phrase refers to the city of Babylon, personified as a daughter. Babylon was a significant city in ancient Mesopotamia, known for its wealth, power, and idolatry. In biblical history, Babylon is often seen as a symbol of opposition to God and His people. The term "daughter" suggests a close relationship or offspring, indicating the city's inhabitants or the nation itself. Babylon's role in the exile of the Israelites is crucial, as it was the empire that destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC, leading to the Babylonian Captivity.<p><b>doomed to destruction</b><br>This phrase prophesies the eventual downfall of Babylon. Historically, Babylon fell to the Medes and Persians in 539 BC, fulfilling prophecies found in <a href="/isaiah/13.htm">Isaiah 13</a> and <a href="/jeremiah/51.htm">Jeremiah 51</a>. The destruction of Babylon serves as a reminder of God's justice and sovereignty over nations. It also symbolizes the ultimate defeat of all powers that oppose God, as seen in the apocalyptic imagery of <a href="/revelation/18.htm">Revelation 18</a>, where Babylon represents the world system in rebellion against God.<p><b>blessed is he who repays you</b><br>The concept of repayment here is tied to the biblical principle of justice and retribution. In the context of the psalm, it reflects the desire for divine justice against those who have wronged God's people. This echoes the lex talionis, or the law of retaliation, found in <a href="/exodus/21-24.htm">Exodus 21:24</a>, "eye for eye, tooth for tooth." The psalmist expresses a longing for the restoration of justice, which is a recurring theme throughout the Psalms and the prophetic books.<p><b>as you have done to us</b><br>This phrase highlights the principle of measure-for-measure justice. Babylon's actions against Jerusalem and the Israelites were severe, including the destruction of the Temple and the exile of the people. The psalmist's call for Babylon to be repaid in kind reflects the deep pain and desire for vindication felt by the exiled community. This mirrors the sentiment found in <a href="/obadiah/1-15.htm">Obadiah 1:15</a>, "As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head." The call for retribution is not merely personal vengeance but a plea for God's righteous judgment.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/daughter_of_babylon.htm">Daughter of Babylon</a></b><br>This term refers to the city of Babylon, personified as a woman. Babylon was a significant empire known for its conquest of Jerusalem and the subsequent Babylonian exile of the Jewish people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_exile.htm">Babylonian Exile</a></b><br>A pivotal event in Jewish history where the Babylonians, under King Nebuchadnezzar, destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, taking many Israelites captive to Babylon.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God who were taken into captivity by the Babylonians. This psalm reflects their longing for justice and the restoration of their homeland.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_psalmist.htm">The Psalmist</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/137.htm">Psalm 137</a>, who expresses the deep sorrow and desire for retribution felt by the Israelites during their exile.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/divine_justice.htm">Divine Justice</a></b><br>The concept of God’s righteous judgment, which is a central theme in this verse, as the psalmist calls for retribution against Babylon.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_divine_justice.htm">Understanding Divine Justice</a></b><br>Recognize that God's justice is perfect and righteous, even when human emotions call for retribution. Trust in God's timing and methods for dealing with wrongs.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_bitterness.htm">The Danger of Bitterness</a></b><br>While the desire for justice is natural, harboring bitterness can be spiritually damaging. Seek God's help to forgive and release personal vendettas.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_promises.htm">Hope in God's Promises</a></b><br>The psalm reflects a deep hope in God's promises to restore and vindicate His people. Hold onto the hope that God will fulfill His promises in His perfect timing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_on_god's_sovereignty.htm">Reflecting on God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Acknowledge God's sovereignty over nations and history. He raises and brings down empires according to His divine plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/praying_for_enemies.htm">Praying for Enemies</a></b><br>Jesus teaches us to pray for our enemies. While the psalmist calls for retribution, Christians are called to love and pray for those who persecute them.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_137.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 137</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_psalm_137_align_with_divine_justice.htm">How does Psalm 137 align with divine justice, given that it appears to advocate collective punishment?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_psalm_137_call_for_violence.htm">Why would a sacred text like Psalm 137 call for retributive violence, contradicting other passages that promote forgiveness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_psalm_137_9_mean.htm">What does Psalm 137:9 mean about dashing babies?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_believers_reconcile_psalm_137's_violence.htm">How can believers explain the moral implications of Psalm 137's violent language in light of the broader biblical message of love and mercy?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/137.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">Daughter of Babylon--</span>i.e., Babylon itself. (See <a href="/psalms/9-14.htm" title="That I may show forth all your praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in your salvation.">Psalm 9:14</a>, Note.)<p><span class= "bld">Who art to</span> <span class= "bld">be destroyed.--</span>Considerable doubt attaches to the meaning of the Hebrew word here. Our version is that of Theodotion. Aquila and Jerome have "wasted" (comp. Prayer Book version); Symmachus, "robber;" the LXX. and Vulg., "wretched."<p>As pointed, the word is a passive participle, and must be rendered as by Aquila, "wasted" or "destroyed," but with the recollection that a Hebrew would thus speak proleptically of a doom foreseen though not accomplished. Delitzsch quotes an Arab saying: "Pursue the caught one "--<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>sure to be caught.<p>The "luxury of revenge" is well expressed in this beatitude, pronounced on him who can carry out to all its bitter end the <span class= "ital">lex talionis. </span>Commentators have in turn tried to disguise and justify the expression of passion. Happily the Bible allows us to see men as they were without taking their rules of feeling and conduct as ours. "The psalm is beautiful as a poem--the Christian must seek his inspiration elsewhere."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/137.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">O daughter of Babylon</span>; <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. O nation of the Babylonians (comp. <a href="/isaiah/47-1.htm">Isaiah 47:1, 5</a>; <a href="/psalms/9-14.htm">Psalm 9:14</a>, etc.). <span class="cmt_word">Who art to be destroyed</span>; literally, <span class="accented">thou desolated one</span>. The desolation of Babylon began with its capture by Cyrus, but was not completed for many centuries. In the Archaemenian period it was one of the chief cities of the empire. Even under the Parthians it was still a flourishing town. But from the time of Isaiah's prophecy (<a href="/isaiah/13-1.htm">Isaiah 13:1-22</a>) it was a doomed city, and in the eyes of a devout Jew already "desolate." <span class="cmt_word">Happy shall he</span> <span class="cmt_word">be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us</span>; <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. happy shall he be that completes thy destruction, and the destruction of thy people. He will be the instrument for carrying out God's vengeance. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/137-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">O Daughter</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּת־</span> <span class="translit">(baṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1323.htm">Strong's 1323: </a> </span><span class="str2">A daughter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Babylon,</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּבֶ֗ל</span> <span class="translit">(bā·ḇel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_894.htm">Strong's 894: </a> </span><span class="str2">Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city</span><br /><br /><span class="word">doomed to destruction,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשְּׁד֫וּדָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šə·ḏū·ḏāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7703.htm">Strong's 7703: </a> </span><span class="str2">To deal violently with, despoil, devastate, ruin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">blessed</span><br /><span class="heb">אַשְׁרֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(’aš·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_835.htm">Strong's 835: </a> </span><span class="str2">Happiness, interjection, how happy!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is he who repays</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶׁיְשַׁלֶּם־</span> <span class="translit">(šey·šal·lem-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative | Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7999.htm">Strong's 7999: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֑ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(lāḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">as</span><br /><span class="heb">גְּ֝מוּלֵ֗ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(gə·mū·lêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1576.htm">Strong's 1576: </a> </span><span class="str2">Treatment, an act, service, requital</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you have done</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶׁגָּמַ֥לְתְּ</span> <span class="translit">(šeg·gā·malt)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1580.htm">Strong's 1580: </a> </span><span class="str2">To deal fully or adequately with, deal out to, wean, ripen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to us.</span><br /><span class="heb">לָֽנוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(lā·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/137-8.htm">Psalm 137:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/137-8.htm">Psalm 137:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/137-8.htm">Psalm 137:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/137-8.htm">Psalm 137:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/137-8.htm">Psalm 137:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/137-8.htm">Psalm 137:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/137-8.htm">Psalm 137:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/137-8.htm">Psalm 137:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/137-8.htm">Psalm 137:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/137-8.htm">Psalm 137:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/137-8.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 137:8 Daughter of Babylon doomed to destruction he (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/137-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 137:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 137:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/137-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 137:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 137:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>