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Response
Psalm 137:9 is part of the Imprecatory Psalms (or Precatory Psalms) that discuss violence against the enemies of God. This verse states, “Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock!” To “imprecate” means to “invoke evil upon,” and the imprecatory prayers in the Bible may seem peculiar or inappropriate to modern readers. It is crucial to grasp the context of this verse and similar ones. The context involves the Jewish people imploring God to avenge their military adversaries.
Psalm 137 is situated during the Jewish exile in Babylon “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, When we remembered Zion.”, (Psalm 137:1) where they were enslaved after the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem. The exiled Jews were taunted to “sing us one of the songs of Zion!” “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, When we remembered Zion.”, (Psalm 137:1), adding more shame and frustration to a defeated nation.
The psalmist recounts the humiliations by the Edomites (who plundered Jerusalem) and the Babylonians who razed their capital. He reaches two conclusions at the end of the psalm. Firstly, he declares, “Blessed shall he be who repays you with what you have done to us” “O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed; Blessed shall he be who repays you as you have served us.”, (Psalm 137:8). This plea for vengeance sought the destruction of the Babylonians as a form of retribution.
Instruction of their enemies.
Then in verse 9, the psalmist adds further detail to this cry for revenge, stating, “Happy is the one” who kills the infants of their enemy. The desire is vividly expressed, but it is simply a call for the destruction of the entire nation—the nation that had enslaved the Jews, killed their babies, and destroyed their city. The downfall of Babylon was specifically foretold in Isaiah 13:16, and by alluding to that prophecy, the psalmist may imply that the men who were God’s instruments in fulfilling that prophecy would find joy in carrying out His will.
Considering that the psalms are songs that convey intense emotions, a declaration like “Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks” should not surprise us. The writer did not advocate for the killing of babies; instead, he sought justice, which necessitated the defeat of his enemies. Even today, those who have suffered the loss of loved ones at the hands of others understandably seek the demise of the perpetrators.
It is important to interpret Psalm 137 within its historical context and apply it judiciously in light of the complete teachings of Scripture. It is a natural human inclination to desire justice and the defeat of enemies. However, Romans 12:17–19 instructs, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Psalm 137 is not a self-centered plea for personal vengeance. It is a supplication for God to intervene in human affairs to uphold His covenant and rectify all injustices.
