Psalms 137:9 Meaning and Explanation
“Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A shocking final image of violent retribution against Babylon's children, mirroring the brutality of conquest.
The Context of Psalms 137:9
The psalm ends by invoking divine retribution that mirrors the violence Babylon inflicted on Jerusalem.
What Does Psalms 137:9 Mean?
This verse extends the logic of 'measure-for-measure' justice to its most extreme and disturbing conclusion. When Babylon conquered Jerusalem, soldiers killed women and children. The psalmist speaks the unthinkable: blessed is one who returns violence on Babylon's children. The 'stones' recall Jerusalem's streets where Judean babies were dashed by Babylonian soldiers.
This is not the psalmist's personal desire but a statement of covenant justice—what Babylon sowed, it will reap. The verse shocks modern readers because it expresses the raw reality of ancient warfare and the psalmist's conviction that God sees all victims and will repay cruelty. The language is harsh because conquest was harsh.
Psalms 137:9 in the Original Language
dasheth (נִפַּץ), 'dash' or 'shatter' — to break, strike violently; the same verb used for shattering pottery or breaking bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 137:9
What does Psalms 137:9 mean?
A shocking final image of violent retribution against Babylon's children, mirroring the brutality of conquest.
What is the context of Psalms 137:9?
The psalm ends by invoking divine retribution that mirrors the violence Babylon inflicted on Jerusalem.