Why would a sacred text like Psalm 137 call for retributive violence, contradicting other passages that promote forgiveness?

Historical and Cultural Context

Psalm 137 arises in the wake of Jerusalem’s destruction, an event that took place when the people of Judah were exiled to Babylon (cf. 2 Kings 24–25; 2 Chronicles 36:15–21; Jeremiah 52). This psalm conveys the raw anguish of a traumatized community reflecting on the horrors of war, separation from home, and the mocking of their captors. Archaeological records, such as the Babylonian Chronicles, corroborate the Babylonian conquest, supporting the historicity of these events.

The song expresses deep sorrow and longing for justice in the midst of oppression. These emotions include an intense cry for retribution: “Blessed is he who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks!” (Psalm 137:9). Although jarring to modern readers, these words must be understood against the backdrop of the violent experiences they endured.

Nature of Imprecatory Psalms

Psalm 137 belongs to a group known as “imprecatory psalms,” which contain pleas for judgment upon one’s enemies (other examples include Psalms 69 and 109). These passages often employ captivating, even shocking, language. Rather than being a universal moral directive for unchecked violence, they are poetic expressions—prayers that place ultimate justice in the hands of the Almighty, rather than encouraging personal vengeance.

In the biblical canon, these psalms are recorded as authentic cries of the heart under dire distress. They represent the faithful turning to God, appealing for the fulfillment of divine justice. So while the words in Psalm 137 may sound brutal, the petition is a raw demonstration of lament rather than a command from God for believers to commit acts of violence.

Literary Devices and Hyperbolic Imagery

The psalmist’s cry is couched in poetic language. The reference to “dashing infants” (Psalm 137:9) uses hyperbolic imagery that conveys the severity of what Judah’s enemies had done to them and the intense yearning for justice that mirrored the horrors experienced. Ancient poetic literature often employed stark and forceful language to convey emotional intensity. This style does not invariably represent a literal prescription but rather paints a visceral picture of the pain and desire for the judgment of God to match the evil inflicted.

For example, Psalm 58:6 calls for God to “break the teeth in their mouths”. In the same vein, this is a figurative way of requesting that God overthrow oppressive power. The broader biblical witness—both in the Old Testament and culminating in Christ’s teaching—affirms that God is the avenger of evil and that individuals are not mandated by such passages to personally enact violence.

Complementing Forgiveness with Divine Justice

Elsewhere in Scripture, forgiveness remains a central theme. Jesus taught: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). The concept of divine justice, however, is never negated by the biblical mandate to love and forgive. Importantly, believers are encouraged to refrain from personal revenge: “Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath” (Romans 12:19).

Psalm 137 and passages like it confront us with both the reality of evil and the longing for it to be dealt with decisively. The overall biblical narrative holds that God is gracious but also just, and His judgment is ultimately righteous (cf. Revelation 19:1–2). Thus, there is no true contradiction between invoking God’s justice and practicing forgiveness. One can lament evil and call out for divine intervention, while at the same time personally extending forgiveness and love, trusting God to judge righteously.

Consistent Scriptural Message on Retribution and Mercy

Throughout Scripture, from the Torah to the Prophets, from the Gospels to the Apostolic writings, the theme of divine justice is constant. Many scholars note examples such as the flood narrative (Genesis 6–8) or Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19), in which God judges evil directly. At the same time, Scripture contains repeated calls to show mercy. Habakkuk 3:2 captures the tension well: “In wrath remember mercy.”

Such texts illustrate that the biblical God encompasses both mercy and justice in one coherent character. When examining the entire counsel of Scripture, there is no irreconcilable conflict. The intense language of Psalm 137, though unsettling in isolation, fits within an overarching biblical reality: God’s holiness and love both stand, and He will rectify all wrongs in His perfect way and timing—an assurance for those who have suffered oppression, damage, and heartbreak.

Refining Perspective Through Context

Rather than contradicting lofty ideals of love and forgiveness, Psalm 137 emphasizes the importance of confronting evil and entrusting ultimate justice to the One who sees and knows every act. Ancient readers and modern audiences alike are reminded that injustice is real and that brokenness in this world demands divine resolution. Meanwhile, passages emphasizing forgiveness, grace, and mercy demonstrate how individuals should respond personally to wrongdoing, pointing to the consistent heartbeat of Scripture—that the offended relinquish vengeance to God.

By retaining both these strands—God’s mercy and just retribution—Scripture weaves a cohesive pattern in which believers are taught to love, forgive, and entrust their grievances to God, who alone provides perfect justice.

Practical Implications

1. Understanding Anguish and Grief

Psalm 137 offers an honest window into human despair in times of profound crisis. It validates the depth of pain and the emotional range that can be directed toward God. Believers are encouraged to bring all suffering before Him rather than suppress or deny it.

2. Acknowledging the Reality of Evil

This psalm underscores that evil in the world should not be minimized. It shows that calling upon God to address evil is valid, reflecting a longing for His ultimate rectification of suffering.

3. Maintaining Trust in God’s Justice

While believers are to resist personal revenge, they can trust the God who sees all, who will execute genuine justice in His time.

4. Living Out Forgiveness

Even as we acknowledge that God is judge, the command remains for individuals to forgive. Jesus contextualized such directives by reminding us to pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44), entrusting vengeance to God and refusing to let bitterness corrupt the heart.

Conclusion

Psalm 137’s call for retributive violence is neither a universal endorsement of aggressive behavior nor a contradiction to biblical teachings on forgiveness. Rather, it is a fervent cry for God’s righteous judgment in the face of unspeakable suffering—one that should be read in the broader scriptural tapestry, where both the demand for justice and the command to forgive find their place in the character of a holy and loving God.