Psalms 137:3 Meaning and Explanation
“For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Babylonian captors demand that the exiles perform their sacred songs for entertainment.
The Context of Psalms 137:3
The captors use cultural domination to humiliate the exiles and mock their faith.
What Does Psalms 137:3 Mean?
Captors who 'carried us away' and 'wasted us' (destroyed Jerusalem) now mock the exiles by demanding songs. They want the vanquished to sing the very songs of Zion whose city they destroyed. This demand is cruel mockery—forcing the traumatized to perform celebrations while grieving.
The command to 'sing mirth' puts the exiles in an unbearable position: obey the oppressors or suffer consequences. Their sacred music becomes a trophy for the conquerors. The request itself reveals the captors' cruelty—they take pleasure in forcing the defeated to celebrate.
Psalms 137:3 in the Original Language
shir (שִׁיר), 'song' — both a musical performance and, in this context, sacred songs that carry Israel's covenant identity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 137:3
What does Psalms 137:3 mean?
The Babylonian captors demand that the exiles perform their sacred songs for entertainment.
What is the context of Psalms 137:3?
The captors use cultural domination to humiliate the exiles and mock their faith.