Definition: Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase [it], rase [it, even] to the foundation thereof.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this difficult verse from Psalm 137. It's a really powerful and complex message, and it’s often misunderstood. Here’s an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes God’s sadness and feeling of being grieved by the actions of Edom. It’s saying that God remembers the people of Edom and feels deeply saddened by their behavior. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Remember, O LORD…” : This immediately establishes the context – it's a lament, a feeling of sadness and remorse from God. “…the children of Edom…” : This refers to the people of Edom, who were a nation historically associated with conflict and resentment toward Israel (and later, the rest of the Israelites). They were often portrayed as enemies. “…in the day of Jerusalem…” : This is crucially important . “Day of Jerusalem” refers to the time of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem – a very sacred place for Jews. It’s not just any day; it’s a specific, emotional moment. It signifies a time when God felt intensely burdened by something happening there. “…who said…” : This is where it gets really interesting. The verse describes a specific person : a shepherd who was watching over his flock (likely sheep) in the fields near Jerusalem. He was deeply saddened and experienced a profound sense of loss. “Rase [it], rase [it, even] to the foundation thereof.” : This is the most challenging part to understand. It’s a very forceful command! Let's break it down: "Rase" : This word means "to destroy," "to demolish," or "to destroy completely." “Rase [it]” : The shepherd was saying, "Rase this!" – he was destroying something. “rase [it, even] to the foundation thereof.” : This is where it gets really intense. The shepherd wasn’t just destroying a single thing . He was destroying the entire structure of Jerusalem itself! The foundation of the city was literally being destroyed. What does this all mean? This verse speaks to a deep and painful memory of conflict between God and Edom. It suggests: God’s pain from injustice: The shepherd felt immense sorrow because he saw a nation actively trying to destroy another. A sense of loss for the future: The verse implies that this destruction is not just about the past; it's a potential threat to God’s plan for the future and the well-being of Israel. A reminder of the consequences of hatred: It’s a warning against harboring resentment or animosity towards those who oppose us. Important Note: The meaning isn’t necessarily about actually destroying Jerusalem in the literal sense. It's a symbolic representation of God’s sorrow and judgment over a nation that was deliberately trying to undermine his people. In short, this verse is a poignant expression of God’s deep sadness and anger at the actions of Edom, recognizing their destructive impact on the land. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of the verse in more detail? Connect it to other biblical passages? Discuss its theological significance?