God’s Word Translation
Psalms 137:1
1By the rivers of Babylon, we sat down and cried as we remembered Zion.
Psalms 137:1 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
- New International Version (NIV)By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion.
- English Standard Version (ESV)By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion.
- New King James Version (NKJV)By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down, yea, we wept When we remembered Zion.
Context of Psalms 137:1
By the rivers of Babylon, we sat down and cried as we remembered Zion. 2We hung our lyres on willow trees. 3It was there that those who had captured us demanded that we sing. Those who guarded us wanted us to entertain them. ⌞They said,⌟ “Sing a song from Zion for us!”
Read all of Psalms 137Psalms 137:1 word by word
עַ֥ל נַהֲר֨וֹת׀ בָּבֶ֗ל שָׁ֣ם יָ֭שַׁבְנוּ גַּם־בָּכִ֑ינוּ בְּ֝זָכְרֵ֗נוּ אֶת־צִיּֽוֹן׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 137:1
- Genesis 2:10A river flowed from Eden to water the garden. Outside the garden it divided into four rivers.
- Ezra 8:21Then I announced a fast there at the Ahava River so that we might humble ourselves in the presence of our God to ask him for a safe journey for ourselves, for our little ones, and for all our goods.
- Ezekiel 1:1On the fifth day of the fourth month in the thirtieth year, while I was living among the exiles by the Chebar River, the sky opened, and I saw visions from God.
- Nehemiah 1:3They told me, “Those who survived captivity are in the province. They are enduring serious troubles and being insulted. The wall of Jerusalem has been broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire.”
- Nehemiah 2:3“May the king live forever!” I said to the king. “Why shouldn’t I look sad when the city, the place where my ancestors are buried, is in ruins and its gates are burned down?”
- Job 2:12When they saw him from a distance, they didn’t even recognize him. They cried out loud and wept, and each of them tore his own clothes in grief. They threw dust on their heads.
- Jeremiah 13:17If you won’t listen, I will cry secretly over your arrogance. I will cry bitterly, and my eyes will flow with tears because the Lord’s flock will be taken captive.
- Jeremiah 15:17I didn’t keep company with those who laugh and have fun. I sat alone because your hand was on me. You filled me with outrage.
- Lamentations 2:10The respected leaders of Zion’s people sit silently on the ground. They throw dirt on their heads and put on sackcloth. The young women of Jerusalem bow their heads to the ground.
- Ezekiel 3:15I went to Tel Abib, to the exiles who lived by the Chebar River. I sat there among them for seven days. I was stunned.
- Psalms 42:4I will remember these things as I pour out my soul: how I used to walk with the crowd and lead it in a procession to God’s house. ⌞I sang⌟ songs of joy and thanksgiving while crowds of people celebrated a festival.
- Psalms 102:9I eat ashes like bread and my tears are mixed with my drink
- Isaiah 66:10All who love Jerusalem, be happy and rejoice with her. All who mourn for her, be glad with her.
- Jeremiah 51:50You people who escaped from the sword, leave! Don’t just stand there. Remember the Lord in a distant land, and think about Jerusalem.
- Lamentations 1:16I’m crying because of ⌞all⌟ these things. My eyes—my eyes flow with tears. No one can give me the comfort I need to keep me alive. Everyone is too far away from me. My children are devastated because my enemies have won.”
- Lamentations 2:11My eyes are worn out with tears. My stomach is churning. My heart is poured out on the ground because of the destruction of my people. Little children and infants faint in the city streets.
Commentaries on Psalms 137:1
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1By the rivers of Babylon - The streams, the water-courses, the rivulets. There was properly only one river flowing through Babylon - the Euphrates; but the city was watered, as Damascus now is, by means of canals or water-courses cut from the main river, and conveying the water to different parts of the city. For a description of Babylon, see the introductory notes to Isaiah 13. If the reference here is to Babylon proper, or the city, the allusion would…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1The Jews bewail their captivity. (1-4) Their affection for Jerusalem. (5-9) Verses 1-4 Their enemies had carried the Jews captive from their own land. To complete their woes, they insulted over them; they required of them mirth and a song. This was very barbarous; also profane, for no songs would serve but the songs of Zion. Scoffers are not to be compiled with. They do not say, How shall we sing, when we are so much in sorrow? but, It is the Lord's song…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-9In response to the pain of exile (Psalm 137:1–4), the psalmist decides to remember Jerusalem, even though the memories cause him pain (137:4–6). He also speaks a strong prayer asking God to bring justice on his enemies (Psalm 137:7–9).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-91. rivers of Babylon--the name of the city used for the whole country. remembered Zion--or, Jerusalem, as in Psa 132:13.Read the comment
- Rashi on Tanakh · v. 1By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat when we went down into exile, and Nebuchadnezzar asked them to sing for him as they used to sing on the stage.Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 137:1
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 137
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries