Psalms 137 · Grade 4
Grief in Captivity
Read and Think
Psalm 137 has no title. It remembers God's people as captives in Babylon. By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion. On the willows in that land, we hung up our harps.
Their captors mocked them: Sing us one of the songs of Zion! The captives answered, How can we sing Yahweh's song in a foreign land? Their songs were about God's house in Jerusalem. They promised, If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill.
The final verses are a cry of deep pain. The people ask God to remember what Edom and Babylon did when Jerusalem fell. The words are angry and raw. Christians see that the psalm gives honest words to grief, and that it brings the desire for justice to God instead of taking revenge.
Show What You Know
What does the psalm remember?
Why did the captives hang up their harps?
What did they promise about Jerusalem?
What do the final verses do with the desire for justice?
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
- By the of Babylon, there we sat down.
- Yes, we , when we remembered Zion.
- On the willows in that land, we hung up our .
- Their captors mocked them: Sing us one of the songs of !
- They promised, If I forget you, , let my right hand forget its skill.
Think About It
The captives told God exactly how they felt. What feelings can you bring honestly to God in prayer?
They promised not to forget Jerusalem. What helps you remember God when you feel far from home?
Memory Verse
“How can we sing Yahweh’s song in a foreign land?”
Psalms 137:4 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for being with us when we are sad. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- How can you bring your sadness to God?
- When is it hard for you to worship?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.