Psalms 137:9

9. Dasheth thy little ones The barbarity of this expression, which, however, is to be understood as predictive, must be considered in connexion with the customs of war in there ages, and the fact that it is only parallel to the previous expression, “rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.” It was simply retributive justice, according to the custom of the times, and was fulfilled by the Babylonians themselves, when, to save provision at the siege by Darius Hystaspes, just mentioned, they put to death all useless persons, including all women and children in the city, except one wife for each man, and her maid. All the prophets who have spoken of Babylon’s fall have mentioned her cruelty to the Hebrews, and the corresponding severity of her own doom. See Isaiah 47:0; Jeremiah 51:0; Lamentations 5:10-13: and of Edom, Jeremiah 49:13-22; Lamentations 4:21-22, and Obadiah’s prophecy. On the Vindictive Psalms, see Psalms 109:0.