PSA

Psalms 137 - Summary

Original Summary

Read Psalms Chapter 137 Summary

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and wept when we remembered Zion. We hung our harps on the willows. Those who carried us away captive asked for songs. How shall we sing the LORD's song in a foreign land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill. Remember, O LORD, the day of Jerusalem against the Edomites.

Original

Characters in This Chapter

David
David

Primary author of the Psalms, writing about half of the collection

Asaph
Asaph

Levitical musician who wrote twelve psalms about suffering and God's justice

Moses
Moses

Author of Psalm 90, reflecting on God's eternity and human frailty

Places in This Chapter

Jerusalem
Jerusalem

City of God, site of the temple, focus of pilgrimage psalms

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The Temple
The Temple

Center of worship where many psalms were sung in liturgy

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Babylon
Babylon

Babylon was the capital of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and a symbol of human pride and rebellion against God. King Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and took the Jews into exile here for 70 years. Daniel and his friends served in the Babylonian court. The Tower of Babel, where God confused human language, was built in this region. In Revelation, Babylon symbolizes worldly power opposed to God.

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Edom
Edom

Edom was the mountainous region south of the Dead Sea, inhabited by the descendants of Esau (also called Edom). The Edomites were relatives of Israel but often hostile. The prophet Obadiah pronounced judgment against Edom for their treatment of Judah during Jerusalem's fall.

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Position in Book

Book IChapters 1-41
Book IIChapters 42-72
Book IIIChapters 73-89
Book IVChapters 90-106
Book VChapters 107-150

Mixed collection including psalms of ascent, Davidic psalms, and the Hallel psalms of praise.

Bible Bites

'The apple of my eye' comes from the Bible

The everyday phrase 'the apple of my eye', meaning someone deeply cherished, comes straight from Scripture: 'Keep me as the apple of your eye' (Psalm 17:8). Many common English sayings, from 'a drop in the bucket' to 'the writing on the wall,' were born in the Bible.

Psalm 17:8

The Longest Book by Chapter Count

With 150 chapters (psalms), the book of Psalms contains more chapters than any other book in the Bible. These ancient songs range from the shortest chapter in Scripture (Psalm 117 with just 2 verses) to the longest (Psalm 119 with 176 verses).

Psalms

Nobody knows what 'Selah' means

The little word 'Selah' appears about 74 times in the Psalms, and its exact meaning has been lost. It may signal a musical pause, a swelling of the instruments, or a moment to stop and reflect. After thousands of years, it remains one of the Bible's small unsolved mysteries.

Psalms