Psalms 137:3 - Exposition

For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song ; literally, words of song . The oppressors break into the retired gathering of their captives, and "require of them a song"—demand roughly and rudely to be entertained with the foreign music, which is perhaps sweeter than their own, or at any rate more of a novelty. And they that wasted us required us mirth . Not only was "a song" wanted but a joyous song - one that would wake feelings of mirth and gladness in those who heard it. Saying, sing us one of the songs of Zion ; literally, sing us frown a song of Zion . The captives had, no doubt, spoken of the joyous strains which they had been wont to pour forth in their own city upon festive occasions. Their conquerors demand a specimen, but are repulsed with the words of the next verse.