Psalms 137:7

Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.

Psalms 137:7 (KJV)

Context

Psalm 137 is a lament from the Babylonian exile, when the Israelites were forcibly removed from their homeland. The psalm expresses deep sorrow for the loss of Jerusalem and the temple. This verse focuses on the Edomites, descendants of Esau and thus kin to Israel. In the day of Jerusalem’s fall, they urged the Babylonians to raze the city completely, even to its foundations. Their words were not passive; they actively encouraged total destruction.

Meaning

The plea “Remember, O Lord” asks God to take note of Edom’s hostile words and actions. The Edomites did not merely stand by; they called for the city to be torn down to the ground. The repetition “Rase it, rase it” emphasizes their relentless demand for ruin. The psalmist brings this injustice before God, trusting that He sees and will act as the ultimate judge. This is not a command for personal revenge but a cry for divine justice.

Biblical connections

The prophet Obadiah also condemns Edom for rejoicing over Judah’s disaster and for standing by while strangers carried off Jerusalem’s wealth (Obadiah 1:10-14). This verse aligns with that warning. The New Testament reinforces the principle of leaving vengeance to God, as Romans 12:19 says, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” The psalmist does not take revenge himself but entrusts the matter to God. This pattern appears throughout Scripture: God hears the cries of the oppressed and promises to act in His time.

Application

This verse reminds believers that God is just and holds all nations accountable. It teaches us to bring our pain and anger to God rather than acting on our own. When we feel betrayed or wronged, we can pray honestly, as the psalmist did, and trust God to handle the outcome. It also calls us to examine our hearts for bitterness or a desire for revenge, and to release those feelings into God’s hands. We can be honest about our emotions, yet we must not let them drive us to sin.

Reflection

The psalmist’s raw honesty shows that God welcomes our cries of anguish. We do not need to hide our emotions from Him. At the same time, this verse challenges us to remember that judgment belongs to God alone. Our role is to pray, trust, and wait for His justice, which is always right and perfect. In a world where wrongs often go unpunished, we can find peace in knowing that God sees every injustice and will one day set all things right.