A Song of Sadness and Joy

Psalm 137 is an elegy - that is, a song of lament. God's people are lamenting the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 537 B.C.

However, the ending of this song contains hope and joy, as they remember the promise of God that Babylonian captivity will only be for 70 years. And when they return home, there will be joy again.