Psalms 137:1
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
Original Language Analysis
עַ֥ל
H5921
עַ֥ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
1 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
נַהֲר֨וֹת׀
By the rivers
H5104
נַהֲר֨וֹת׀
By the rivers
Strong's:
H5104
Word #:
2 of 10
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
בָּבֶ֗ל
of Babylon
H894
בָּבֶ֗ל
of Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
3 of 10
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
שָׁ֣ם
H8033
יָ֭שַׁבְנוּ
there we sat down
H3427
יָ֭שַׁבְנוּ
there we sat down
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
5 of 10
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
6 of 10
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
בְּ֝זָכְרֵ֗נוּ
when we remembered
H2142
בְּ֝זָכְרֵ֗נוּ
when we remembered
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
8 of 10
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
Cross References
Ezekiel 1:1Now 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 3:15Then I came to them of the captivity at Tel-abib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.Luke 19:41And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,Ezekiel 1:3The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.Lamentations 3:48Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people.Psalms 42:4When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.Jeremiah 15:17I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation.Nehemiah 2:3And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?Lamentations 2:18Their 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.Lamentations 1:16For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.
Historical Context
Written during or shortly after the Babylonian exile (586-516 BC), this psalm captures the trauma of Jerusalem's destruction, temple desecration, forced deportation, and cultural erasure. Nebuchadnezzar's conquest fulfilled prophetic warnings but felt like covenant collapse.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'Zion' have you lost that makes present comforts taste like exile?
- How does grief for what was stolen become an act of faithfulness rather than weakness?
- Where do you need permission to weep rather than perform false contentment?
Analysis & Commentary
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept (עַל נַהֲרוֹת בָּבֶל שָׁם יָשַׁבְנוּ גַּם־בָּכִינוּ)—Geography becomes theology. The exiles sit by Babylon's irrigation canals (neharot)—life-giving waters in a foreign land that mock their thirst for Zion. Yashavnu (we sat) suggests defeated posture, not resting but mourning. Bakhinu (we wept) is collective lament. When we remembered Zion (בְּזָכְרֵנוּ אֶת־צִיּוֹן)—memory intensifies grief.
This inaugurates Scripture's most anguished lament. The 70-year exile (Jeremiah 29:10) stripped Israel of land, temple, and worship—the covenant's visible expressions. Yet weeping by foreign rivers kept covenant memory alive. Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41), and believers groan for the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:4).