O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed, blessed shall he be who repays you with what you have done to us!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse calls Babylon "doomed to be destroyed," which sounds like a future event, but the Hebrew word suggests a state of being "wasted" or "ruined." This implies that for the psalmists, Babylon's doom was already a certainty in God's eyes, even if its full destruction was yet to come. It highlights how deeply they felt God’s judgment was already upon their oppressors.
O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed, blessed shall he be who repays you with what you have done to us!
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist is pouring out his heart in anguish, remembering the brutal destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of his people to Babylon. After lamenting their suffering and the mockery they endured, this verse directly addresses Babylon itself, prophesying its coming destruction and invoking a blessing on whoever will enact vengeance upon the city for its cruelty. This reflects a deep longing for justice and divine retribution in the face of immense trauma.
Who is this 'daughter of Babylon' the Psalmist addresses? It's more than just a city; it's a symbol of opposition to God.
God's Judgment on Oppression
The Psalmist cries out to "O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed." This isn't just an angry outburst; it's a prophetic declaration.
The verse pronounces a 'blessing' on the one who retaliates against Babylon. What does this mean for justice and revenge?
God's Vengeance Through Human Hands
The exclamation, "blessed shall he be who repays you with what you have done to us!" is striking. It seems to call for a harsh 'eye for an eye' justice.
Ask a follow-up
This verse appears at the end of a psalm of deep sorrow. How does the tone shift from lament to pronouncement of judgment?
The Enduring Hope for Vindication
Psalm 137 begins with profound grief and humiliation, recounting the pain of exile. By the end of the psalm, the focus shifts dramatically.
Understand the original words
baṯ · Hebrew Noun
A poetic designation for a city or nation, often implying a personification of its inhabitants or culture. It highlights the city's character and susceptibility to judgment.
Bāḇel · Hebrew Noun
The ancient empire that conquered Judah and destroyed the Temple. In the Bible, it serves as the ultimate archetype of godless pride, idolatry, and opposition to the kingdom of God.
šādōḏ · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
A condition or status of being marked for certain judgment or catastrophe due to sin or divine decree. It conveys the certainty and finality of God's coming retribution.
'ešer · Hebrew Adjective
A pronouncement of divine favor or happiness. In a biblical context, it describes the state of one who is aligned with God's purposes or participating in His righteous justice.
This psalm expresses the deep pain and anger of exiles longing for divine justice against their oppressors, praying for the day when the empire that devastated their homeland will itself be brought low.
c. 587 BC— this verse
Babylon Captures Jerusalem
The Neo-Babylonian Empire, under King Nebuchadnezzar II, conquers Jerusalem, destroying Solomon's Temple and exiling a significant portion of the Judean population.
c. 550-539 BC
Rise of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus the Great unites the Medes and Persians, expanding his empire and setting the stage to challenge Babylon.
539 BC
Cyrus Conquers Babylon
Cyrus the Great captures Babylon, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire and incorporating its territories into the Achaemenid Persian Empire.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple.
This passage describes Babylon as a proud, luxurious city that will be humbled, echoing the judgment called down on Babylon in Psalm 137.
Jeremiah 50:15-16This prophecy directly commands Babylon to be repaid for what it has done, mirroring the sentiment of 'blessed shall he be who repays you' in the psalm.
These verses declare that Babylon will receive her just deserts for her cruelty, aligning with the psalmist's cry for righteous retribution.
This New Testament passage calls for Babylon's punishment, showing how the judgment against ancient Babylon is a type of the ultimate judgment against spiritual evil.
pulpitPsalms 137:8: "O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us."
Verse 8. - O daughter of Babylon; i.e. O nation of the Babylonians (comp. Isaiah 47:1, 5; Psalm 9:14, etc.). Who art to be destroyed; literally, thou desolated one. 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 s…
ellicottPsalms 137:8: "O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us."
(8) Daughter of Babylon— i.e., Babylon itself. (See Psalm 9:14 , Note.) Who art to be destroyed.—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.” As pointed, the word is a passive participle, and must be…
The verse calls Babylon "doomed to be destroyed," which sounds like a future event, but the Hebrew word suggests a state of being "wasted" or "ruined." This implies that for the psalmists, Babylon's doom was already a certainty in God's eyes, even if its full destruction was yet to come. It highlights how deeply they felt God’s judgment was already upon their oppressors.
The psalmist is pouring out his heart in anguish, remembering the brutal destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of his people to Babylon. After lamenting their suffering and the mockery they endured, this verse directly addresses Babylon itself, prophesying its coming destruction and invoking a blessing on whoever will enact vengeance upon the city for its cruelty. This reflects a deep longing for justice and divine retribution in the face of immense trauma.
The psalmist is pouring out his heart in anguish, remembering the brutal destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of his people to Babylon. After lamenting their suffering and the mockery they endured, this verse directly addresses Babylon itself, prophesying its coming destruction and invoking a blessing on whoever will enact vengeance upon the city for its cruelty. This reflects a deep longing for justice and divine retribution in the face of immense trauma.
"O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed, blessed shall he be who repays you with what you have done to us!" — The verse calls Babylon "doomed to be destroyed," which sounds like a future event, but the Hebrew word suggests a state of being "wasted" or "ruined." This implies that for the psalmists, Babylon's…
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Last reviewed October 2026