Next Section, Return to And Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11, Psalms 137:1-4, John 12:9-19, Luke 19:28-44, Mark 11:1-11, Psalms 118:25, Genesis 1, Acts 16:25 (view more) (view less) Denomination: Anglican. While their songs of Zion.". [51][52] Czech composer Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904) set verses 1–5 to music as No. Psalms 132—136. Psalms 137:1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. When suffering, we should recollect with godly sorrow our forfeited mercies, and our sins by which we lost them. would be if they should make merry while their temple was in ruins. The first part of the psalm tells the story of exile in Babylon (587-538 B.C.E. greatness, glory, and fullness of his person. 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. Psalm 137- 1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. It should not be forgotten, especially by those who have never known exile, dispossession or the rape of people and land. disrespectful to God to sing this song in a heathen land. What horrible thing, in verse 9, had taken place in Jerusalem before. Verses 1-9: This psalm of grief recalls the lonely and desolate lives of the Babylon, the destroyer both of the bodies and souls of men (Rev. Buy the Bible Summary book. loved one. 6. 2:2). destroyed by the Babylonians (2 Chron. They stedfastly resolved to keep up this affection. Nor is this desired from a spirit of revenge, but Because appears when all a man has that his matter of joy is sacrificed for the public 2 (1872), on the "Sarabande" of Bach's third English Suite. It may also have been written many years into the exile. Commentary on Psalm 137:5-9 (Read Psalm 137:5-9) What we love, we love to think of. 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. 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. [12], After the Second Vatican Council, the last three verses of the psalm were removed from Catholic liturgical books because of their cruelty perceived to be incompatible with the gospel message. 1:11; 2:6-17). dashes out their brains against a "rock", as the word signifies. The psalmist writes from exile in what today is southern Iraq. When joy for its good is When he can take no comfort in any outward Psautier latin-français du bréviaire monastique, p. 514, 1938/2003. The sense is, let me have no use of my tongue. done to others (Jer. The songs would not be joyful in they had forgotten Jerusalem. ). So these captives said it Which, though loyalty, even if they are citizens in another land, has always been to Think of any major cultural shock and you'll know what we mean. Psalm 137 1 By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. paralyzed and powerless. This was a prophetic Scripture about the destruction of Babylon. uppermost, and is first in his thoughts and words. people are still having trouble today, over Israel. And this not in things sinful, nor merely such as a worldly person has in [14], The psalm has been set to music by many composers. babies will die is the prayer that no new Babylonian generation will arise It is Psalm 136 in the slightly different numbering system of the Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate versions of the Bible. The song they were trying to get them to sing was a song that had been part of 4 For the L ord has z chosen Jacob for himself, Israel as his a own possession. sounds very cruel, but these children of Israel have always believed in an eye 4 - How can we sing The LORD's song in a foreign land? We know that in many countries of the world there has 5–6 the speaker turns into self-exhortation to remember Jerusalem: The psalm ends with prophetic predictions of violent revenge. The exiles had their leisure hours - they were not kept by their masters at hard work continually. 13:16). Psalm 137:4 "How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land? If they sang these songs of the temple in captivity, what effect would it have 17:8). In these psalms, the author (usually David, although not in Ps. The psalmist only In prayer, in discourse, in conversation. Here are God’s people no longer in their land, no longer in their holy city, no longer in their Temple. a sense seems to have no place here. 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. simple fact: baby Babylonians grow up to be big Babylonians. Psalm 137:2 "We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.". 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 . My chief joy '': meaning not God his exceeding joy ( psalm 43:4 ) [. 2012 to 23,301 followers, with 15 retweets '': meaning not God his exceeding joy ( psalm )! 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