Definition: O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy [shall he be], that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down Psalm 137:8 together. It's a really beautiful and poignant verse, and it’s packed with meaning. Here’s what it says in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about someone who has been serving us – perhaps a person or group of people – and that service is being rewarded. It speaks of a person who was imprisoned for a long time, but who is now free to enjoy the rewards of their service. Let’s unpack it word by word: “O daughter of Babylon” : This isn't a literal name; it's a poetic way of referring to someone who has been serving us – possibly a person or group of people. “Babylon” is a place in ancient Jewish tradition, often associated with royalty and power. It’s used here to suggest a long period of service. “who art to be destroyed” : This part acknowledges that they were in a situation where they were facing danger or hardship – likely imprisonment. It's a recognition of their past suffering. “happy [shall he be]” : This is the key. The verse says, “happy,” and that’s incredibly important. It means that someone who has served us is experiencing joy and contentment because of our service to them. It's a feeling of fulfillment and gratitude. “that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us” : This explains the reason for their happiness. We, as God’s people, have been diligently serving them – perhaps through prayer, worship, or simply being kind. Our service is recognized and valued as a reward. Overall Meaning & Context: This verse is deeply symbolic. It's about: Gratitude: The verse emphasizes our gratitude for the times we’ve served others. Redemption: It suggests that even after suffering, there can be joy and peace found in being used and valued. God's Perspective: It reflects a divine perspective – God is aware of our service and sees it as a reward. Why is this verse important? It’s a reminder that our actions have meaning beyond just fulfilling our own needs or desires. We are valued because we’ve been used by others, and that use can lead to happiness and contentment. --- Do you want me to: Explain the context of this verse in more detail? Discuss its symbolism further? Give you a different interpretation of the verse?