Several people criticized the Bad Squirrel for "misunderstanding" the passage, so now I'd like to know what it means. Would ya tell me? Oh, and for those who can't recall, here's what it says:
Psalms 137:9 - Happy [shall he be], that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.
2007-03-28 10:34:10 · 12 answers · asked by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The enduring animosity of the Edomites - descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother - showed its most dastardly face in Jerusalem's darkest hour.
Daughter in verse 8 is personification of Babylon and its inhabitants.
This is about vengeful attitudes toward enemies War was as cruel then as now, and children and women were not spared its horrors.
Happy is the same term of blessing that begins the first Psalm. The blessing would come on the army that finally destroyed the wicked city of Babylon, that had been itself used as a tool of judgment in the hands on Almighty God.
The message: Wicked, do not mess with Our God or you will die when God passes His judgment on you. Remember, children belong to God until the age of accountability. They have to suffer for the parent's bad choices. This is a war situation, and we are talking about wicked wicked people.
2007-03-28 10:42:21 · answer #1 · answered by SeeTheLight 7 · 2⤊ 5⤋
Who is the "he" that this Psalm is talking about? Are you implying that it is God? Or is it Darius the Mede who actually did such things to the people of Babylon. Darius also rejoiced greatly at the wicked things he did.
I may be cynical, but I suggest that you do not want to really know the answer. Your only reason for such a question is Christian baiting.
The answers that you have recieved from both Christians and Jews is such that you should have no more questions about this Psalm.
2007-03-29 22:57:23 · answer #2 · answered by free2bme55 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I didn't see the original question regarding this verse, but that Psalm is basically about revenge against a foreign people, who captured and mocked the children of Israel. The passages say that he who avenges everything that was done -- including the killing of their own children (remember, at that time, it was "an eye for an eye") -- will be joyous in doing so.
2007-03-28 17:45:35 · answer #3 · answered by Marissa: Worker of Iniquity 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The Psalms are poetic, and here David is speaking about Babylon's destruction. One can only assume whether or not he himself had thoughts of killing infants, but I think it would be wiser to assume he was speaking metaphorically.
Once again, someone who thinks twisting scripture out of context is ok, just because they don't believe it.
2007-03-28 23:24:58 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God destroyed Babylon and its offspring for their proud assault against God and his kingdom. The Medes and Persians destroyed Babylon in 539 BC, Many of those who were oppressed lived to see the victory. The pharase about the infants is harsh because the psalmist is crying out for judgement. "Treat the Babylonians the way they treated us."
To my way of thinking (and I could be wrong), we all cry out to God to treat others as they have treated us so today is no different.
2007-03-28 17:46:44 · answer #5 · answered by Poohcat1 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
thats probably actually the most heartfelt and saddest psalm of them all. it takes place after the israelites have had their homes destroyed and city razed and they are taken captive to babylon.
Psalm 137:
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat, we also wept when we remembered Zion. On willows in its midst we hung our harps, for there our captors asked us for words of song and our tormentors asked of us mirthfully, "Sing for us of the song of Zion."
"How shall we sing the song of the Lord on foreign soil?"
If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill.
May my tongue cling to my palate, if I do not remember you, if I do not bring up Jerusalem at the beginning of my joy.
Remember, O Lord, for the sons of Edom, the day of Jerusalem, those who say, "Raze it, raze it, down to its foundation!" O Daughter of Babylon, who is destined to be plundered, praiseworthy is he who repays you your recompense that you have done to us. Praiseworthy is he who will take and dash your infants against the rock."
the key phrase is "praiseworthy is he who repays you your recompense that you have done to us". the psalmist is despairing at being brutally taken from his home and exiled, his captors are mocking him, and he is bitterly wishing the same fate on his captors as what has happened to him. he is saying, "you dashed our children on the rocks, and so i hope this happens to you too." it may not be the kindest and most noble sentiment, but you would have to be a saint not to be thinking the same thing if this had happened to you. its human nature.
2007-03-28 17:53:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
It really is more about our inter anger.That when we are angry we had rather kill off the whole race of people ,even the innocent.
But Jesus said love your enemy's,pray for them.
When the twin towers where attacked,first response was to kill everyone from Iraq.Thank God we didn't.<><
2007-03-28 17:51:05 · answer #7 · answered by funnana 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
it's advocating An Eye for an Eye against those who persecute the Jews
2007-03-28 17:39:21 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
it is symbolic as the end of the influence of babylon. their children will no longer propigate the " evil " empire. in other words, blessed be they who ensure that babylon does not live on another generation.
2007-03-28 17:51:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
christians say "read the whole bible it makes more sense". it still doesn't. Looks like they're saying throw stones at your kids.
2007-03-28 17:39:29 · answer #10 · answered by Nothing interesting 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋