King James Version
Psalms 137:1 in the King James Version says “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 137 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.”
Psalms 137:1 · KJV
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.
For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song ; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. a song: Heb. the words of a song wasted: Heb. laid us on heaps
KJV Study — Public Domain
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
“By the rivers”
H5104a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
“there we sat down”
H3427properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
“when we remembered”
H2142properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Psalms 137:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Psalms 137:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge