Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 137:9

"Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones Against the rock." — Psalms 137:9 (ASV)

Happy shall he be that taketh... - (The margin indicates the Hebrew word is “rock”). This refers to a practice not uncommon in ancient warfare, and also found among some tribal groups: the indiscriminate slaughter of people of all ages and both sexes in war.

It was expressly foretold that this would occur in Babylon (see Isaiah 13:16 and the notes on that passage). There may be a reference here to that prediction, and the psalmist may mean to say that the man would be considered happy, or would be happy, who wreaked vengeance on Babylon by carrying out that prophecy.

The idea is, “This will certainly occur, for it is foretold, and happy or fortunate will he be who is the instrument in fulfilling it.” Compare 2 Kings 8:12; Nahum 3:10; Hosea 13:16.

See also Homer, Iliad 22.63, 373 and following. It is impossible to reconcile such barbarous customs with the idea of “honorable war,” or with the principles of war as carried on among “civilized” nations now.

It should be added, however, that there is much—very much—that is still practiced in war by “civilized” nations, which it is equally impossible to reconcile with any just notions of morality or humanity.

In coming ages, when people will view things correctly, these practices will seem to the people of those times to be no less monstrous, strange, and barbarous.

Regarding this passage, we are not necessarily to suppose that the author of the psalm approved of this, desired it, or prayed for it. He looked forward to the fulfillment of a prediction; he saw that a just and terrible judgment would certainly come upon Babylon. He expressed this in the common language of the times and stated the manner in which it would occur.

He described the feelings—the gratification—of those who would execute the divine purpose in overthrowing Babylon. He also referred to the estimate in which the conqueror would be held by people, and the glory of the achievement as giving him fame among them.

It must be admitted that the psalmist's feelings appear to align with this. He considers it proper that the city should be destroyed, and he regards its overthrow as a righteous judgment and as something to be desired in the divine administration.

It is true that he might approve of such an overthrow and see it as right—he might describe the feelings of those by whom it would be done, their joy, their exultation, and even their barbarity, without himself approving of their barbarity, sympathizing with their feelings, or partaking of their spirit.

Nevertheless, it cannot in fairness be denied that there is an apparent approval of the act referred to here, which savors more of imprecation than forgiveness, and which is apparently prompted more by the spirit of revenge than by a desire for just punishment. On this subject, however, see the General Introduction, Section 6 (4), and the notes at Psalms 109:10.

A correct record may be made, whether of facts or of feelings, without any intention of expressing either approval or disapproval on the part of the historian, the prophet, or the poet.