Psalms 137:1

¶ By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

By the rivers {H5104} of Babylon {H894}, there we sat down {H3427}, yea, we wept {H1058}, when we remembered {H2142} Zion {H6726}.

By the rivers of Bavel we sat down and wept as we remembered Tziyon.

By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion.

By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down, yea, we wept, When we remembered Zion.

Commentary

Psalms 137:1 (KJV)

¶ By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

Commentary

This psalm opens with a powerful image of the Israelites in exile. The scene is set "By the rivers of Babylon," likely referring to the Euphrates or its tributaries and canals, which were central to Babylonian life and agriculture.

Historical and Cultural Context

This psalm was written during or shortly after the Babylonian exile (586-538 BC), a period when the Kingdom of Judah had been conquered, Jerusalem destroyed, and many of its inhabitants forcibly deported to Babylon. The "we" refers to these exiled Jews, far from their homeland, their temple, and their capital, Zion (another name for Jerusalem).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Exile and Displacement: The verse vividly portrays the reality of being uprooted from one's home and forced to live in a foreign land.
  • Sorrow and Lament: The act of sitting down and weeping signifies profound grief, sorrow, and despair over the loss of Jerusalem, the temple, and their way of life.
  • Memory and Longing: Their weeping is triggered by remembering "Zion," the cherished city and the center of their spiritual and national identity. This memory brings pain because it contrasts sharply with their current reality.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "sat down" (Hebrew: yashav) can simply mean dwelling, but in this context, combined with weeping, it suggests a posture of mourning or despondency, perhaps sitting on the ground in grief.

Practical Application

This verse resonates with anyone who has experienced loss, displacement, or deep sorrow. It validates the pain of remembering what was lost and the difficulty of finding joy in hostile or unfamiliar surroundings. It speaks to the human need for home, identity, and connection to sacred places or memories.

The rest of the psalm goes on to express the depth of their despair and their unwavering commitment to remembering Jerusalem, even in exile.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 1:1

    ¶ Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth [month], in the fifth [day] of the month, as I [was] among the captives by the river of Chebar, [that] the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.

  • Ezekiel 3:15

    Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.

  • Luke 19:41

    ¶ And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

  • Lamentations 3:48

    Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people.

  • Jeremiah 13:17

    But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for [your] pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.

  • Jeremiah 13:18

    Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, [even] the crown of your glory.

  • Lamentations 2:18

    Their heart cried unto the Lord, O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night: give thyself no rest; let not the apple of thine eye cease.