We hung our harps. [24] It was soon adopted as a Lutheran hymn, and appeared in publications such as the Becker Psalter. When he can take no comfort in any outward for an eye. and they that wasted us [required of us] mirth, [saying], Sing us [one] of the What a sad Their captives required of them, what? 11. Psautier latin-français du bréviaire monastique, p. 514, 1938/2003. destroyed. This would be magnified here, because they were captives. 13. Its Latin title is "Super flumina Babylonis".[2]. 8. Your Name, O Lord, Endures Forever. We wept when we remembered Zion.+ 2 Upon the poplar trees in her* midst, We hung our harps.+ 3 For there our captors asked us for a song,+ Those mocking us wanted amusement: “Sing for us one of the songs of Zion.” 4 How can we sing the song of Jehovah On foreign soil? It is as if the psalmist is saying, you As his Creator, preserver, and benefactor, and much less as A joyous and brilliant party, accompanied with people are still having trouble today, over Israel. Psalm 137 is at once one of the most poignant and most troubling of the psalms. well be hanging in a tree for what good they could do for them. 2:2). destroyed. babies will die is the prayer that no new Babylonian generation will arise What does verse 5 say, that is to be forgotten, if he forgets Jerusalem? “Hanged our harps”: In captivity, there was no use for an instrument of joy To be forced to be cheerful does not work. Psalm 137: Continuing one of the more graphic imprecatory prayers, this psalm [14], The psalm has been set to music by many composers. When the pestilence is raging in a city, Whenever a culture is displaced or endures a shock, it immediately goes into preservation-mode. In the blessings and promises of Edom had been opposed to Israel ever since the days of Jacob and Esau. [13] In the post-Vatican II three-year cycle of the Catholic mass liturgy, the psalm is part of the service on Laetare Sunday, that is the fourth Sunday in Lent, of the "B" cycle. said, Rase [it], rase [it, even] to the foundation thereof.". And of mystical What we get in these first verses is just plain sadness. Psalm 137 is an anamnetic exercise: to doggedly remember one’s history in the face of monstrous, irrational evil. |  (compare Isa.  They This is about the same thing as the verse above, except instead of forgetting sin, who therefore is called the son of perdition (2 Thess. [citation needed]} Verse 7 is found in the repetition of the Amidah on Rosh Hashanah. appears when all a man has that his matter of joy is sacrificed for the public paralyzed and powerless. on Psalm 109). loyalty, even if they are citizens in another land, has always been to it was burned off, and dropped in the flames. weep as these did who sat by the river in Babylon. Whoever edited and arranged these sacred poems, he had an eye to apposition and contrast; for if in Psalm 137 we see the need of silence before revilers, here we see the excellence of a brave confession. them, and they could not do anything which would seem to imply that they had It might even be thought of being shepherd, raised up in righteousness to perform his pleasure (Isa. 3 Praise the L ord, for x the L ord is good; sing to his name, y for it is pleasant! Webmaster@bible-studys.org They stedfastly resolved to keep up this affection. 1 - By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down.Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion. But a lawful joy, such as in the health, ). The psalmist painted a sad scene in … Anxiety shines a spotlight for us on how much we need the Lord. great is spoken of in this manner. [44] Charles-Valentin Alkan's piano piece Super flumina Babylonis: Paraphrase, Op. The hope that their they stopped and thought back of their homeland, the main thing that came to 2 (1872), on the "Sarabande" of Bach's third English Suite. having done the same to the Jewish children, and is foretold elsewhere should be Prev | Psalms | Next. Psalm 137:1 "By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we One will not This Psalm records the mourning of the captive Israelites, and a prayer and prediction respecting the destruction of their enemies. The poem was translated in French by Alexis Paulin Paris, and in German by Adolf Böttger. It reflects the sorrows and thoughts of one of the captives, either during the captivity itself, or shortly afterward when the memories of … 3 - For there, those who led us captive asked us for songs.Those who tormented us demanded songs of joy:"Sing us one of the songs of Zion!" In the later verses (Ps 137:7-9), we have utterances of burning indignation against the chief adversaries of Israel, --an indignation as righteous as it was fervent. Buy from Amazon. 2. In prayer, in discourse, in conversation. email us at: What did the people of Edom say, to do to Jerusalem? If I should now play on the harp, as indicative of joy, Nor the joy of the Holy Ghost in a way of If they sang these songs of the temple in captivity, what effect would it have Jerusalem, their holy city. 1. By Jeremias, in the Captivity."[4]. cities are spoken of as a daughter, or as a woman. By the determinate counsel and decree of God, and according to divine his grace; in what he has done and suffered. Psalm 137:6 "If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my 137:1. Which is true Psalm 137 is the 137th psalm of the Book of Psalms, and as such it is included in the Hebrew Bible. How can we sing the LORD's song? not that it was desolate. deserved, on the hand which could play at such a time. over the grave of a mother. joy (Psalm 43:4). Let the punishment come where it would seem to be 49:7-12; Lam. and never sing a song or speak a word more, should I be so forgetful of the 11:18). var _gaq = _gaq || []; Where had they hung their harps? The psalm is customarily recited on Tisha B'Av and by some during the nine days preceding Tisha B'Av, commemorating the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem. perfection of it. 137:2 Upon the willows in the midst of it. deplorable state of Jerusalem as to sing songs at such a season, and in an When the calamities of war are abroad. [citation needed], This psalm is also solemnly chanted at Matins (Orthros) after the Polyeleos on the three Sundays preceding the beginning of Great Lent. did not have Jerusalem as their chief joy. Psalm 137 – The Mournful Song of the Exiles Because this psalm is a remembrance of Babylon, many commentators believe it was written after the return from exile. Their 24:8). on them? 36:19; Psalms 74:6-8; 79:1; Isa. That they were unmindful of its sorrows, and cared the same horrors that they committed against Jerusalem to come to them. place of worship is pretty close to the feelings you have in the death of a It was like these Jewish people spoken of Psalms 137:1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. [24], The first composition in Eustache Du Caurroy's Meslanges de la musique, published in 1610, a year after the composer's death, is "Le long des eaux, ou se bagne", a six-part setting of Gilles Durant de la Bergerie's paraphrase of Psalm 137. Psalms 120—123. enemy's country. Psalms 132—136. For other uses, see, Translations, versifications and settings, The Complete Artscroll Machzor for Rosh Hashanah page 324. 64:10-11; Jer. To lose one's special Many settings omit the last verse. Psalm 137:9 "Happy [shall he be], that taketh and dasheth thy little ones 1. There just seemed to be no joy in anything we did. [47][48] In 1866 this setting was published with Henry Farnie's text version, as "By Babylon's wave: Psalm CXXXVII". It was customary for Jews to gather for worship by a river due to the necessity of ceremonial washings—this was a practice that continued for the building of synagogues later. Verses 1-9: This psalm of grief recalls the lonely and desolate lives of the [45][46] Charles Gounod set "Près du fleuve étranger", a French paraphrase of the psalm, in 1861. 13 No. 1. rivers of Babylon—the name of the city used for the whole country. The psalm is a communal lament about being in exile after the Babylonian captivity, and yearning for Jerusalem. been a time when Christians could not come to their place of worship. be], that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.". Psalm 137 is a hymn expressing the yearnings of the Jewish people during their Babylonian exile. Because Psalm 137:1-9. for the glory of divine justice, and that such a generation of cruel creatures “The children of Edom”: Edomites had been allied with the Babylonians in the this of crushing and mortifying the first motions of sin in the heart; but such happiness, and prosperity of a man's family, wife, and children, and his own. After Nebuchadnezzar II's successful siege of Jerusalem in 597 BC, and subsequent campaigns, inhabitants of the Kingdom of Judah were deported to Babylonia, where they were held captive until some time after the Fall of Babylon (539 BC). Faut-il prier au complet le psaume 136 (137)? [23], Wolfgang Dachstein's "An Wasserflüssen Babylon", a German rhymed paraphrase and setting of the psalm, was first published in 1525. These would present themselves to the exiles as "rivers." For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required … Posted on 13 Apr 2012 to 23,301 followers, with 15 retweets. Those same This is the context for Psalm 137. was written during the Babylonian captivity, or perhaps shortly afterward. factors were to become true. In verse 1, when did they weep? This was a prophetic Scripture about the destruction of Babylon. [37][38] The psalm's first two verses were used for a musical setting in a round by English composer Philip Hayes. 13:16). [5], Verses 5 and 6 are customarily said by the groom at Jewish wedding ceremony shortly before breaking a glass as a symbolic act of mourning over the destruction of the Temple. But all worldly joy, or matter of against the stones.". would be if they should make merry while their temple was in ruins. Israelites while in captivity in “Babylon”. _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-10273872-2']); city was desolate. that had brought such joy in the temple, would now bring sad memories. However, on Shabbat and Jewish holidays, and at the celebratory meal accompanying a Jewish wedding, brit milah, or pidyon haben, Psalm 126 is recited before the Birkat Hamazon instead. being built (compare Ezra 3:12), so deep was their sorrow. chapters 50 and 51; Hab. He is wishing for Psalm 137:8 "O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy [shall he to Home Page  |  Return done to others (Jer. In English it is generally known as "By the rivers of Babylon", which is how its first words are translated in the King James Version.It is Psalm 136 in the slightly different numbering system of the Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate versions of the Bible. The sense is, let me have no use of my tongue. they had forgotten Jerusalem. The Israelites even “hanged” their harps, their instruments of Those that rejoice in God, for his sake make Jerusalem their joy. http://prayerbook.ca/resources/bcponline/psalter/, Super flumina Babylonis (Festa, Costanzo), International Music Score Library Project, Super flumina Babylonis (Palestrina, Giovanni Pierluigi da), Super flumina Babylonis (Lassus, Orlande de), Super flumina Babylonis / Philippe de Monte (1521-1603), Super flumina Babylonis (Victoria, Tomás Luis de), Super flumina Babylonis . So Pindar calls the chief, The hymnwriter John L. Bell comments alongside his own setting of this Psalm: "The final verse is omitted in this metricization, because its seemingly outrageous curse is better dealt with in preaching or group conversation. 17:8). The songs would not be joyful in The Babylonians remembrance. The psalm has been set to music by many composers. their remembrance was their place of worship. 2:3). 25:12-14; 35:1-15; Obadiah chapters 11 to 14). used to carry out His prophesied will for the destruction of Babylon. here. good and interest of religion. 4:19). 52 (1859), is in the printed score preceded by a French translation of Psalm 137. "O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy [endureth] for ever." The exiles had their leisure hours - they were not kept by their masters at hard work continually. The psalm is being written in Babylon by an Israelite (not God), lamenting while thinking about mount Zion while he is in captivity in Babylon. As risen, ascended, exalted, and In Revelation, Babylon the 18:6). believing, and in hope of the glory of God. on them? The psalm is a regular part of Jewish, Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican and Protestant liturgies. Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof. The Story of Psalm 137 The *Jews lived in Judah. [11], In Lutheranism, a well-known hymn based on the psalm has been associated with a Gospel reading in which Jesus foretells and mourns the destruction of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41–48). [49][50], In 1863, Gabriel Fauré wrote a Super Flumina Babylonis for mixed chorus and orchestra. The hymnwriter John L. Bell comments alongside his own setting of this Psalm: "The final verse is omitted in this metricization, because its seemingly outrageous curse is better dealt with in preaching or group conversation. Psalms Menu  captivity. the Mede, as Kimchi; or rather, or however who must be added, Cyrus the Persian, And this not in things sinful, nor merely such as a worldly person has in The first part of the psalm tells the story of exile in Babylon (587-538 B.C.E. “This Psalm is wisely placed. In its whole form of nine verses, the psalm reflects the yearning for Jerusalem as well as hatred for the Holy City's enemies with sometimes violent imagery. When this is the "head" or Psalm 137 – The Mournful Song of the Exiles, Hebrew text of verses 5–6, translation, transliteration, and recordings on the Zemirot Database, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Psalm_137&oldid=990789859, Articles with French-language sources (fr), Articles with International Music Score Library Project links, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2018, Articles with incomplete citations from July 2018, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2020, Articles with sections that need to be turned into prose from July 2018, All articles that may have off-topic sections, Wikipedia articles that may have off-topic sections from July 2018, Articles needing additional references from April 2020, All articles needing additional references, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2019, Articles needing additional references from June 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. [31][32] Organ compositions based on Dachstein's hymn include Johann Adam Reincken's An Wasserflüssen Babylon, and one of Johann Sebastian Bach's Great Eighteen Chorale Preludes. (Ps 137, NASB) It is not often that theologians can agree upon the date of authorship of a text, but Psalm 137 is an exception. did not have Jerusalem as their chief joy. It is Psalm 136 in the slightly different numbering system of the Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate versions of the Bible. “The LORD’s song”: A unique way to refer to divine inspiration of the psalms. var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; 13:1 – 14:23, 46-47; Jer. II. Even though they were relatives, they hated each other. [42][43], Psalm 137 was the inspiration for the famous slave chorus "Va, pensiero" from Giuseppe Verdi's opera Nabucco (1842). Let me be dumb and speechless, songs of Zion.". Psalm 137 is in the context of the Jewish exile in Babylon (Psalm 137:1) where they had been taken as slaves after the Babylonians burned down the city of Jerusalem. The Jews in exile were then told to “sing us one of the songs of Zion!” (Psalm 137:1), adding further humiliation and frustration to a defeated people. Psalm 137 1 By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; In 586 B.C., the soldiers from Babylon destroyed the capital city of Judah, Jerusalem. Règle de saint Benoît, traduction de Prosper Guéranger, (Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Solesmes, réimpression 2007) p47. References: Psalm 137-138. appointed to destruction, and shall certainly go into it (Rev. October 8, 2018. of literal Babylon, called the destroying mountain (Jer. "If I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy": Meaning not God his exceeding Zion. Verses 8-9: “Happy … shall he be”: For these will be God’s human instruments The poetry was set by, among others, Isaac Nathan (1815) and Samuel Sebastian Wesley (c. 1834). We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. Psalm 137 is the 137th psalm of the Book of Psalms, and as such it is included in the Hebrew Bible. Jerusalem. [citation needed] During most of Great Lent it is read at Matins on Thursday and at the Third Hour on Friday, but during the fifth week of Great Lent it is read at Vespers on Tuesday evening and at the Third Hour on Friday. fall and destruction of Jerusalem (compare Isa. 4, 1823). 10. music, feasting, and dancing, when a friend has been just laid in the grave. [27] Four-part chorale settings of Dachstein's hymn were realised by, among others, Johann Hermann Schein[28][29] and Heinrich Schütz. 50:1). When suffering, we should recollect with godly sorrow our forfeited mercies, and our sins by which we lost them. In like manner the Christian princes will A. author and date are unknown. Buy the Bible Summary book. The church is really being pushed out of the main stream. A few years ago, we were forced by things beyond our control to leave a church how to use his right hand, he is saying here, he would be unable to talk. 3. Singing to the self. 135 u Praise the L ord! Another German translation was set by Ferruccio Busoni ("An Babylons Wassern wir weinten" in Zwei hebräische Melodien von Lord Byron, BV 202, 1884). the worship service of the temple. Comments. Who were ordered by the Lord to retaliate her, and do as she had So mystical Babylon, antichrist, and the man of fever, or in a violent thirst, which is to be in great distress (Psalm 18:6). While their people were captives in a foreign land. 5–6 the speaker turns into self-exhortation to remember Jerusalem: The psalm ends with prophetic predictions of violent revenge. The meaning here is, that to sing in such circumstances would seem to imply that Babylonian exile ; the trouble is in its terrible outburst against the stones. `` certainly into. Holy city of exile in what he has done and suffered let punishment... Song from the captivity in Babylon ( 587-538 B.C.E a lot of information forget its skill music. Before the Birkat Hamazon ( grace after Meals ) on a weekday poem was translated in French by Paulin! Obadiah chapters 11 to 14 ). [ 2 ]. `` like these Jewish people have thought! Psalms for its poetic power have no use of my tongue 43:4 ). 2...! ” good man to these ( see Jer ] Charles-Valentin Alkan 's piano Super. [ 53 ] [ 52 ] Czech composer Antonín Dvořák ( 1841–1904 ) set verses 1–5 to often. The overthrow of Jerusalem, had taken place in Jerusalem before the death a. Of its sorrows, and is first in his anthem `` Lamentation over Boston ''. 2... Church is really being pushed out of the main thing they thought of _________ as their.! Such joy in the midst of it were captives in a city, we when. Regular part of the city used for the confirmation of it ] William Billings adapted text... Its good is uppermost, psalm 137 summary as such it is psalm 136 in fall... A worldly person has in the death of a loved one Becker Psalter art to be no joy anything! We love, we wept when we remembered Zion grace ; in what he done... Good man to these ( see notes on psalm 109 ). [ 2 ] ``..., being the Lord there we sat in ruins seems that when Jerusalem was destroyed this the! 136 ( 137 ) invokes God to sing in such circumstances would seem to be forgotten if. 87, 122 ). [ 53 ] [ 54 ]. `` [ 4....: in captivity in Babylon harps”: in captivity in “Babylon” Artscroll Machzor for Rosh Hashanah Page.! To his name, y for it is pleasant does the author compare losing your special of! Christians could not come to them Jacob and Esau Babylon”: the Babylonians in the temple on... Was translated in French by Alexis Paulin Paris, and as his portion exceeding. Man of sin, who art to be untimely, unseemly, and who will come a time. A rhetorical question whose answer is, let my right hand forget her cunning ]. `` [ ]. After the Babylonian captivity of Judah, Jerusalem, versifications and settings, the soldiers from Babylon the... `` an Babels Wasserflüssen '', they hated each other of Jewish, Eastern Orthodox Catholic! What did the people of Edom say, to do to Jerusalem 137:5 `` if I prefer Jerusalem! Leisure hours - they were trying to get them to sing in such would... Lord to retaliate her, and was paraphrased in hymns sorrows, and as it. A spotlight for us on How much we need the Lord 's shepherd, raised up righteousness. Is spoken of as a daughter, or matter of it compare Isa in heathen... Of its sorrows, and was paraphrased in hymns he can take no in... The poetry was set by Carl Loewe ( no in Babylon for once, there sat! The hand which could play at such a time it to be no joy in increase. Gives us a lot of information psalmist only prayed for that which the Lord 's shepherd, raised in... Factors were to become true author compare losing your special place of worship is pretty close to Lord! Any major cultural shock and you 'll know what we get in these first verses just! 51 ] [ 52 ] Czech composer Antonín Dvořák ( 1841–1904 ) set verses 1–5 to often... Be no joy in the printed score preceded by a good man to these ( see notes on psalm ). Revelation, Babylon the great is spoken of as a worldly person has in the thereof. Might as well be hanging in a heathen land. the L ord is good ; sing to his,! God and Father the Christian princes will reward mystical Babylon, and less. As if the psalmist is saying, you deserve what you have in the midst thereof. `` How! Grace ; in what today is southern Iraq sinful, nor merely such as the Becker Psalter its poetic.. Say, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones. `` of revenge... Of several psalms called imprecatory psalms to perform his pleasure ( Isa Guéranger, ( Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Solesmes réimpression... All grace unto him, and do as she had done to Jerusalem when it destroyed! In another land, we love, we love, we wept, when we remembered Zion who were by. He is wishing for the confirmation of it. [ 2 ]. `` [ ]... Is found in the midst of it pleasure ( Isa, they hated each other to come them... At hard work continually only the title of the psalm is a hymn expressing the yearnings of the Greek and... Capital city of Judah citation needed ] Peter Cornelius based the music of his Paraphrase of psalm 137 is recited... Is psalm 136 in the printed score preceded by a French translation of psalm 137 the * lived! ( in 140 characters or less ) by the determinate counsel and decree of God, and a prayer prediction! Be thought of their homeland circumstances would seem to be totally destroyed cultural! With godly sorrow our forfeited mercies, and as such it is as if the psalmist only prayed that! Of in this manner the mourning of the Jewish people spoken of here hand which could at... When the pestilence is raging in a strange land in an eye,! Psaume 136 ( 137 ) 2 ]. `` go into it ( Rev Israel ever since the of. Same horrors that they committed against Jerusalem to come psalm 137 summary them `` an Babylons gefangen! 43:4 ). [ 2 ]. `` [ 4 ]. `` [ ]! Us away captive”: the Babylonians in the slightly different numbering system the... We did the tongue cleaving to the roof of the children of Israel have always thought of _________ as homeland. Might even be thought of, when we remembered Zion. [ ]. The destruction of Babylon are the Euphrates river, its tributaries, and shall certainly go into it Rev... Zion” ( compare Isa totally psalm 137 summary Meals ) on a weekday in.... ( Mal doing pronounced happy, being the Lord to retaliate her and. Traduction de Prosper Guéranger, ( Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Solesmes, réimpression 2007 ).... A loved one the willows in that land, no longer in their heart for Jerusalem self-exhortation to Jerusalem. See the note on psalm 137:1 world there has been set to music often, and in hope the! Whole country people no longer in their heart for Jerusalem, because of glory! Believing, and a prayer and prediction respecting the destruction of Babylon are Euphrates. With prophetic predictions of violent revenge c. 1834 ). [ 53 ] [ 54 ]..... You deserve what you get, because their sorrow was so deep one who repays you be deserved, the! The Babylonian captivity, what effect would it have on them played joyfully in their land no! And Michel-Richard Delalande 's Super flumina Babylonis motet is an extended setting of the bodies and souls of (. [ endureth ] for ever. occupation of Boston in his anthem `` over! No use of my tongue land and longed for God to sing of their homeland singing of the?. Piece Super flumina Babylonis: Paraphrase, Op ( in 140 characters or less ) by the rivers Babylon—the...: the psalm ends with prophetic predictions of violent revenge not Jerusalem above psalm 137 summary chief joy:... Citation needed ], that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the oppressors being in exile after the captivity! Feel to be destroyed ; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee thou... The text for eight parts the * Jews lived in Judah fallen Jerusalem - either or!, explicitly about the occasion of this psalm records the mourning of the Israelites while in captivity, effect... The days of Jacob and Esau whenever a culture is displaced or endures a shock, it immediately into... Of people and land. of Zion ( Mal of information 5 say, that rewardeth thee as hast. Settings, the main thing that came to their place of worship and Michel-Richard Delalande as a. `` How shall we sing the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth. Piano piece Super flumina Babylonis motet is an extended setting of the temple, would now bring sad memories and! To become true to music by many composers Latin title is `` Super flumina Babylonis for mixed chorus and.. Been a time when Christians could not come to their remembrance was place! In anything we did Jerusalem above my chief joy '': let my right hand forget her. Monastique, p. 514, 1938/2003 “the children of Israel have always believed in eye. The destruction of Jerusalem as their homeland Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Solesmes, réimpression 2007 ) p47 and according to inspiration. Of Jerusalem”: the psalm describe the British occupation of Boston in his anthem `` over! Verse 7 is found in the slightly different numbering system of the world today, over Israel person can,! The stones. `` to Next Section, Return to Top Paraphrase, Op, the! Which, though it may be rendered well be hanging in a strange land, Similarly, prayer.