Remember, O LORD, the sons of Edom on the day Jerusalem fell: "Destroy it," they said, "tear it down to its foundations!" Remember, O LORDThe plea for God to "remember" is a call for divine justice and intervention. In Hebrew, the word "remember" (זָכַר, zakar) implies more than mere recollection; it is a request for God to act upon His covenant promises. This invocation is a profound expression of faith, trusting that God is both aware of and responsive to the injustices His people face. It reflects a deep-seated belief in God's sovereignty and His ultimate role as the righteous judge. the sons of Edom
The "sons of Edom" refers to the descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother, and represents a longstanding enmity between the Israelites and the Edomites. Historically, Edom is located southeast of Judah, and its people are often depicted as antagonists in the Hebrew Scriptures. The Edomites' actions during Jerusalem's fall are seen as a betrayal of kinship, exacerbating the pain of the Israelites. This phrase highlights the theme of familial betrayal and the complexities of ancient Near Eastern politics. on the day Jerusalem fell
This phrase situates the verse in a specific historical context: the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. The fall of Jerusalem was a catastrophic event for the Israelites, marking the loss of their spiritual and political center. The mention of this day evokes the deep sorrow and trauma experienced by the exiles, serving as a poignant reminder of their suffering and the need for divine justice. 'Destroy it,' they said
The Edomites' cry to "destroy" Jerusalem reveals their active participation in the city's downfall. The Hebrew verb used here (עָרוּ, aru) conveys a sense of complete annihilation. This phrase underscores the Edomites' hostility and the depth of their animosity towards the Israelites. It serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of hatred and the moral imperative for justice. 'tear it down to its foundations!'
The call to "tear it down to its foundations" emphasizes the totality of the destruction desired by the Edomites. The imagery of dismantling a city to its very foundations signifies not just physical destruction but also the erasure of cultural and spiritual identity. This phrase captures the existential threat faced by the Israelites and their longing for restoration and vindication. It serves as a powerful metaphor for the resilience of faith amidst adversity, trusting that God will ultimately rebuild and restore what has been lost. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Sons of EdomDescendants of Esau, Jacob's brother, who historically had a contentious relationship with the Israelites. In this verse, they are remembered for their role in the destruction of Jerusalem. 2. JerusalemThe holy city of the Israelites, which was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. This event is central to the lament of Psalm 137. 3. The Fall of JerusalemA significant event in Jewish history where the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem, leading to the destruction of the Temple and the exile of the Jewish people. Teaching Points The Consequences of BetrayalThe actions of Edom serve as a warning against betrayal and taking pleasure in the downfall of others. God holds nations and individuals accountable for their actions against His people. God's Justice and MemoryThis verse reminds us that God remembers the actions of nations and individuals. His justice may not be immediate, but it is certain. We can trust God to address wrongs in His timing. The Importance of Solidarity Among BelieversThe betrayal by Edom, a relative nation, underscores the importance of unity and support among believers, especially in times of crisis. The Role of Lament in FaithPsalm 137 as a whole, including this verse, teaches us the value of lament. It is a legitimate expression of faith to bring our pain and desire for justice before God. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the historical relationship between Israel and Edom enhance our understanding of Psalm 137:7? 2. In what ways can we see the principle of "reaping what you sow" reflected in the fate of Edom as described in other scriptures? 3. How can we apply the lessons of Edom's betrayal to our own relationships within the church community? 4. What does this verse teach us about God's memory and justice, and how can that influence our response to personal injustices? 5. How can the practice of lament, as seen in Psalm 137, be a healthy part of our spiritual life today? Connections to Other Scriptures Obadiah 1:10-14This passage condemns Edom for their violence against their brother Jacob (Israel) during the fall of Jerusalem, highlighting their betrayal and gloating over Israel's misfortune. Lamentations 4:21-22These verses also address Edom, predicting that their rejoicing over Jerusalem's downfall will be short-lived and that they too will face judgment. Ezekiel 25:12-14God pronounces judgment on Edom for their actions against Judah, promising retribution for their betrayal and violence. People David, Edomites, PsalmistPlaces BabylonTopics Bare, Base, Cried, Edom, Edomites, E'domites, Fell, Foundation, Foundations, Jerusalem, Lay, Mind, O, Rase, Raze, Remember, Saying, Sons, Tear, Thereof, UncoveredDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 137:1-9 4215 Babylon
5945 self-pity Psalm 137:7-9 6040 sinners Library Letter xxii (Circa A. D. 1129) to Simon, Abbot of S. Nicholas
To Simon, Abbot of S. Nicholas Bernard consoles him under the persecution of which he is the object. The most pious endeavours do not always have the desired success. What line of conduct ought to be followed towards his inferiors by a prelate who is desirous of stricter discipline. 1. I have learned with much pain by your letter the persecution that you are enduring for the sake of righteousness, and although the consolation given you by Christ in the promise of His kingdom may suffice amply for …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of ClairvauxThe Captivity.
"Is this the city that men call the perfection of beauty, the joy of the whole earth?"--Larn. ii. 15. Manasseh's son, Amon, undid all the reformation of his latter years, and brought back idolatry; and indeed, the whole Jewish people had become so corrupt, that even when Amon was murdered in 642, after only reigning two years, and better days came back with the good Josiah, it was with almost all of them only a change of the outside, and not of the heart. Josiah was but eight years old when he …
Charlotte Mary Yonge—The Chosen People Third Sunday after Easter
Text: First Peter 2, 11-20. 11 Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether to the king, as supreme; 14 or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II Thou Shalt not Commit Adultery.
In this Commandment too a good work is commanded, which includes much and drives away much vice; it is called purity, or chastity, of which much is written and preached, and it is well known to every one, only that it is not as carefully observed and practised as other works which are not commanded. So ready are we to do what is not commanded and to leave undone what is commanded. We see that the world is full of shameful works of unchastity, indecent words, tales and ditties, temptation to which …
Dr. Martin Luther—A Treatise on Good Works In Judaea
If Galilee could boast of the beauty of its scenery and the fruitfulness of its soil; of being the mart of a busy life, and the highway of intercourse with the great world outside Palestine, Judaea would neither covet nor envy such advantages. Hers was quite another and a peculiar claim. Galilee might be the outer court, but Judaea was like the inner sanctuary of Israel. True, its landscapes were comparatively barren, its hills bare and rocky, its wilderness lonely; but around those grey limestone …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Concerning the Sacrament of Penance
In this third part I shall speak of the sacrament of penance. By the tracts and disputations which I have published on this subject I have given offence to very many, and have amply expressed my own opinions. I must now briefly repeat these statements, in order to unveil the tyranny which attacks us on this point as unsparingly as in the sacrament of the bread. In these two sacraments gain and lucre find a place, and therefore the avarice of the shepherds has raged to an incredible extent against …
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation The Iranian Conquest
Drawn by Boudier, from the engraving in Coste and Flandin. The vignette, drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a statuette in terra-cotta, found in Southern Russia, represents a young Scythian. The Iranian religions--Cyrus in Lydia and at Babylon: Cambyses in Egypt --Darius and the organisation of the empire. The Median empire is the least known of all those which held sway for a time over the destinies of a portion of Western Asia. The reason of this is not to be ascribed to the shortness of its duration: …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9 The History of the Psalter
[Sidenote: Nature of the Psalter] Corresponding to the book of Proverbs, itself a select library containing Israel's best gnomic literature, is the Psalter, the compendium of the nation's lyrical songs and hymns and prayers. It is the record of the soul experiences of the race. Its language is that of the heart, and its thoughts of common interest to worshipful humanity. It reflects almost every phase of religious feeling: penitence, doubt, remorse, confession, fear, faith, hope, adoration, and …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament Letters of St. Bernard
I To Malachy. 1141.[924] (Epistle 341.) To the venerable lord and most blessed father, Malachy, by the grace of God archbishop of the Irish, legate of the Apostolic See, Brother Bernard called to be abbot of Clairvaux, [desiring] to find grace with the Lord. 1. Amid the manifold anxieties and cares of my heart,[925] by the multitude of which my soul is sore vexed,[926] the brothers coming from a far country[927] that they may serve the Lord,[928] thy letter, and thy staff, they comfort …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Questions.
LESSON I. 1. In what state was the Earth when first created? 2. To what trial was man subjected? 3. What punishment did the Fall bring on man? 4. How alone could his guilt be atoned for? A. By his punishment being borne by one who was innocent. 5. What was the first promise that there should be such an atonement?--Gen. iii. 15. 6. What were the sacrifices to foreshow? 7. Why was Abel's offering the more acceptable? 8. From which son of Adam was the Seed of the woman to spring? 9. How did Seth's …
Charlotte Mary Yonge—The Chosen People Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple …
St. Hilary of Poitiers—The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 137:7 NIVPsalm 137:7 NLTPsalm 137:7 ESVPsalm 137:7 NASBPsalm 137:7 KJV
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