Tree of Life Version
Psalms 137:1
1By the rivers of Babylon, we sat down and wept, when 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 wept, when we remembered Zion. 2On the willows there we hung up our harps. 3For there our captors demanded songs and our tormentors asked for joy: “Sing us one of the songs of Zion.”
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 out of Eden to water the garden. From there it divided and became four riverheads.
- Ezra 8:21Then I proclaimed a fast there at the Ahava River so that we might humble ourselves before our God and seek from Him a straight way for us, our little ones, and all of our possessions.
- Ezekiel 1:1In the thirtieth year on the fifth day of the fourth month, as I was among the exiles by the river Chebar, the heavens opened, and I saw visions of God.
- Nehemiah 1:3They said to me, “The remnant who have survived the captivity there in the province are in great distress and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates have been burned with fire.”
- Nehemiah 2:3but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”
- Job 2:12But when they saw him from a distance they did not recognize him, and they raised their voices and wept. Each one tore his robe and threw dust into the air onto their heads.
- Jeremiah 13:17But if you will not listen, my soul will sob in secret before such pride, and my eyes will weep bitterly and overflow with tears, for Adonai’s flock will be taken captive.
- Jeremiah 15:17I never sat in the company of revelers nor made merry. Because of Your hand I sat alone, for You filled me with indignation.
- Lamentations 2:10The elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the ground in silence. They threw dust on their heads and girded themselves with sackcloth. The maidens of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to the ground.
- Ezekiel 3:15I came to the exiles at Tel-Abib who lived by the river Chebar. I sat where they were dwelling. I sat there overwhelmed among them for seven days.
- Psalms 42:4My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all day: “Where is your God?”
- Psalms 102:9My enemies taunt me all day. My deriders use my name to curse.
- Isaiah 66:10Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all you who love her. Rejoice for joy with her all you who mourned over her.
- Jeremiah 51:50Escapees from the sword, go! Do not stand still! Remember Adonai from afar— and make aliyah to Jerusalem in your heart.
- Lamentations 1:16Over these things I weep. My eyes overflow with water. For far from me is a comforter, who might refresh my soul. My children are desolate, because the enemy has prevailed.”
- Lamentations 2:11My eyes are filled with tears. My stomach is in torment. My heart is poured out on the ground over the destruction of the daughter of my people— as young children and infants languish in the city squares.
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
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