The recurrence of emotions strengthens them, and the frequent expressions of sadness and wrath in Psalm 137 amplify such feelings. The pastoral analogies repeated throughout Psalm 23 increase the listeners' sense of confidence in God's presence. Psalm 137 is one of the so-called "woe poems" (see the article on woe poems). Like many other woe poems, it describes the dire situation of the poet/prince and urges him to turn back to God for help. Although a large portion of the poem (137:1-4) deals with Israel's exile to another country, it can also be interpreted as a metaphor for the destruction of Jerusalem. The prophet Jeremiah used almost identical language to describe his own experience during the Babylonian invasion (see Jer 26:19). According to the book of Joshua, when God chose to destroy Jerusalem he felt the same kind of sadness as the prophet Jeremiah (Josh 6:26). Jesus wept at the thought of the city he loved being destroyed by war (Matt 9:36). Even after many years in exile, some Jews continued to pray for their return to Judah. It is important to understand that although these people were descendants of Abraham, they had abandoned their faith in Yahweh to worship other gods.