Psalms 137:8

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 137:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “O daughter of Babylon, that art to be destroyed, Happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee As thou hast served us.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

O daughter of Babylon, that art to be destroyed, Happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee As thou hast served us.
Psalms 137:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 137

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8O daughter of Babylon, that art to be destroyed, Happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee As thou hast served us.

What do historical commentaries say?

Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“O daughter of Babylon - That is, Babylon itself; the city of Babylon. On the word “daughter” as thus used, see the notes at Isaiah 1:8. Who art to be destroyed - Certainly to be destroyed; of whose destruction there are fixed and absolute prophecies. See the notes at Isaiah 13:19-22. Happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us - Margin, that recompenseth unto thee thy deed which thou didst to us. Literally, “Happy shall he be who shall repay to thee the recompence which thou hast recompensed unto us.” The idea is, who shall repay thee for thy treatment of us; or, as we should say in common language, “Who shall pay thee back?” That is, he will be esteemed a fortunate man who…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Happy - As being God's instrument to vindicate his honour, and execute his just judgments. Next: Psalms Chapter 138”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“daughter: Isa 47:1-5; Jer 50:42, Jer 51:33; Zac 2:7 who art: Isa. 13:1-22, 14:4-24, Isa 21:1, Isa 47:1; Jer 25:12-14, 50:1-51:64; Rev 14:8-11, 17:1-18, Rev 18:6 destroyed: Heb. wasted happy: Psa 149:6-9; Isa 13:3-5, Isa 44:28; Rev 17:5, Rev 17:6, Rev 17:14, Rev 18:6, Rev 18:20 rewardeth: etc. Heb. recompenseth unto thee thy deed which thou didst unto us, Jer 50:15-29; Rev 18:6 Psalms 137:9”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification