Psalms 137:2
Psalms 137:2 in Multiple Translations
There on the willows we hung our harps,
We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.
Upon the willows in the midst thereof We hanged up our harps.
Hanging our instruments of music on the trees by the waterside.
We hung up our harps on the willow trees.
Wee hanged our harpes vpon the willowes in the middes thereof.
On willows in its midst we hung our harps.
On the willows in that land, we hung up our harps.
We hung our harps upon the willows in the midst of it.
I will worship towards thy holy temple, and I will give glory to thy name. For thy mercy, and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy holy name above all.
On the willow trees alongside the rivers we hung our harps because we did not want to play them any more because we were very sad.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 137:2
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 137:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
עַֽל
עֲרָבִ֥ים
בְּ/תוֹכָ֑/הּ
תָּ֝לִ֗ינוּ
כִּנֹּרוֹתֵֽי/נוּ
עַֽל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
עֲרָבִ֥ים
ʻârâb
H6155
willow
N-fp
בְּ/תוֹכָ֑/הּ
tâvek
H8432
midst
Prep | N-ms | Suff
תָּ֝לִ֗ינוּ
tâlâh
H8518
to hang
V-Qal-Perf-1cp
כִּנֹּרוֹתֵֽי/נוּ
kinnôwr
H3658
lyre
N-mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 137:2
עַֽל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
עֲרָבִ֥ים
ʻârâb
H6155
"willow"
N-fp
In the Bible, this word refers to a type of tree, specifically a willow or poplar, often found near water sources like rivers. It's mentioned in passages like Ezekiel and Isaiah, describing a tree with dark wood. The willow tree has cultural significance in Jewish tradition.
Definition: 1) poplar, willow 1a) a tree characterised by dark wood
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: willow. See also: Leviticus 23:40; Psalms 137:2; Isaiah 15:7.
בְּ/תוֹכָ֑/הּ
tâvek
H8432
"midst"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
This word refers to the middle or center of something, such as a group of people or a physical space. It can also mean among or between things, as seen in various Bible translations.
Definition: 1) midst, middle 1a) midst, middle 1b) into, through (after verbs of motion) 1c) among (of a number of persons) 1d) between (of things arranged by twos) 1e) from among (as to take or separate etc)
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:6; Numbers 35:5; 2 Chronicles 32:4.
תָּ֝לִ֗ינוּ
tâlâh
H8518
"to hang"
V-Qal-Perf-1cp
To hang something or someone is what this Hebrew word means, often used to describe punishment or display. It can also mean to hang an object, like a curtain or a sign. The word is used in Exodus and Numbers.
Definition: 1) to hang 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hang 1a1a) to hang up (any object) 1a1b) to put to death by hanging 1b) (Niphal) to be hanged 1c) (Piel) to hang, hang up (for display)
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: hang (up). See also: Genesis 40:19; Esther 7:9; Psalms 137:2.
כִּנֹּרוֹתֵֽי/נוּ
kinnôwr
H3658
"lyre"
N-mp | Suff
Kinnor is a musical instrument, specifically a lyre or harp. It is used to make music and is mentioned in the Bible as a instrument used by musicians.
Definition: lyre, harp
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: harp. See also: Genesis 4:21; Job 21:12; Psalms 33:2.
Study Notes — Psalms 137:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 137:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 137:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 137:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 137:2
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 137:2
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 137:2
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 137:2
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 137:2
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 137:2
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 137:2
- Sermons on Psalms 137:2
Context — By the Rivers of Babylon
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 24:8 | The joyful tambourines have ceased; the noise of revelers has stopped; the joyful harp is silent. |
| 2 | Ezekiel 26:13 | So I will silence the sound of your songs, and the music of your lyres will no longer be heard. |
| 3 | Psalms 33:2 | Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to Him with ten strings. |
| 4 | Psalms 81:2 | Lift up a song, strike the tambourine, play the sweet-sounding harp and lyre. |
| 5 | Revelation 18:22 | And the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will never ring out in you again. Nor will any craftsmen of any trade be found in you again, nor the sound of a millstone be heard in you again. |
| 6 | Amos 8:10 | I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentation. I will cause everyone to wear sackcloth and every head to be shaved. I will make it like a time of mourning for an only son, and its outcome like a bitter day. |
Psalms 137:2 Summary
In Psalms 137:2, the Israelites hung their harps on the willows as a sign of mourning and refusal to sing joyful songs in a foreign land. This action shows that they were loyal to their God and their homeland, and they did not want to forget their heritage, as also seen in Psalms 137:1. Just like the Israelites, we can use our talents and abilities to worship God, but we must also be mindful of our surroundings and not compromise our values, as warned in Proverbs 22:24-25. By remembering our true home and our loyalty to God, we can find the strength to endure difficult circumstances, as encouraged in Romans 8:18 and Hebrews 11:13-16.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Israelites hang their harps on the willows?
The Israelites hung their harps on the willows as a sign of mourning and refusal to sing joyful songs in a foreign land, as seen in Psalms 137:2, and this action is reminiscent of the instruction in Ecclesiastes 3:4 to mourn at the appropriate time.
What is the significance of the willows in this verse?
The willows in Psalms 137:2 may symbolize the sorrow and grief of the Israelites, similar to how the weeping willow is often associated with mourning, and their action of hanging the harps on the willows signifies their inability to sing joyful songs in a foreign land, as also reflected in Psalms 137:4.
How does this verse relate to the Israelites' captivity in Babylon?
This verse is a part of the larger context of the Israelites' captivity in Babylon, as described in Psalms 137:1, where they sat and wept by the rivers of Babylon, remembering Zion, and their actions in Psalms 137:2 demonstrate their loyalty to their God and their homeland despite being in a foreign land, similar to the loyalty shown by Daniel in Daniel 6:10.
What can we learn from the Israelites' refusal to sing in a foreign land?
The Israelites' refusal to sing in a foreign land, as seen in Psalms 137:2 and Psalms 137:4, teaches us about the importance of being mindful of our surroundings and the company we keep, as also warned in Proverbs 22:24-25, and being faithful to our God even in difficult circumstances, as encouraged in Romans 8:18.
Reflection Questions
- What are the things in my life that bring me joy, and how can I use them to worship God, even in difficult circumstances, as seen in Psalms 100:2?
- How can I, like the Israelites, remain faithful to God and refuse to compromise my values, even when surrounded by a foreign or hostile culture, as encouraged in Daniel 3:18?
- What are the 'harps' in my life that I need to hang up or set aside, in order to focus on my relationship with God, as instructed in Matthew 6:33?
- How can I find comfort and strength in God's presence, even when I am in a 'foreign land' or going through a difficult time, as promised in Psalms 23:4 and Isaiah 43:2?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 137:2
We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. These were musical instruments, used in the temple service by the Levites, who seem to be the persons here speaking; who took care of them,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 137:2
We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof - in the midst of the land of Babylon.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 137:2
These are, not without great probability, supposed to be the words of some holy Levites, who had been accustomed to music, both vocal and instrumental, in the service of the temple. Harps are here put by a synecdoche for all instruments of music. It is further to be observed, that although the harp was used by the Grecians in mourning, yet it was used by the Hebrews in rejoicing, as is manifest from ,28 Psalms 43:4, &c. This passage is to be understood either, 1. Figuratively, signifying only that they abandoned all signs and means of comfort; or rather, 2. Properly, as the following songs are, which the Babylonians required them to sing to their harps. And these harps they might either, 1. Bring from Jerusalem, which they might desire to do to preserve those sacred utensils, and their enemies might either permit or command them to do for their own delight: or, 2. Procure in Babylon, that they might sometimes solace themselves with the practice of some of the temple music, which they desired and intended to do; but when they came to the trial, they were not able to do it, and therefore laid them by. Upon the willows; which commonly grow upon the banks of rivers, as they did by Euphrates in such plenty, that from thence it is called the brook of willows, .
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 137:2
Psalms 137:2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.Ver. 2. We hanged our harps] Harps we had, and knew how to handle them (the Jews were famous artists, noted for their skill, specially in poetry, music, and mathematics), but we had little mind to it as now the case stood with us; our country lying desolate, ourselves could not be but disconsolate. Barbiton hic paries habebit (Horat. lib. 3, Od. 26).
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 137:2
(2) Willows.—It is perhaps not necessary to attempt to identify the trees mentioned in this verse, since the touching picture may only be a poetical way of expressing the silence during the exile of all the religious and festal songs. The ‘ereb’ is certainly not the willow, a tree not found in Babylonia, but the poplar (Populus Euphraticus).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 137:2
Verse 2. We hanged our harps upon the willows] The ערבים arabim or willows were very plentiful in Babylon. The great quantity of them that were on the banks of the Euphrates caused Isaiah, Isaiah 15:7, to call it the brook or river of willows. This is a most affecting picture. Perhaps resting themselves after toil, and wishing to spend their time religiously, they took their harps, and were about to sing one of the songs of Zion; but, reflecting on their own country, they became so filled with distress, that they unstrung their harps with one consent, and hung them on the willow bushes, and gave a general loose to their grief. Some of the Babylonians, who probably attended such meetings for the sake of the music, being present at the time here specified, desired them to sing one of Zion's songs: this is affectingly told.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 137:2
2. Upon the willows in the midst thereof, We hung out harps. the willows] Cp. Isaiah 44:4. The tree meant, however, was probably not the weeping willow, but the populus Euphratica.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 137:2
We hanged our harps upon the willows - The harps once used to accompany the songs of praise and the service of God in the temple; the harps with which they had sought to beguile their weary hours,
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 137:2
2. We hanged our harps upon the willows—The weeping willows, the Salix Babylonica of Linnaeus. They densely fringed the canals and artificial rivers of Babylonia.
Sermons on Psalms 137:2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Christ Magnified in Our Bodies by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of redeeming the time and not wasting opportunities. He highlights the urgency of spreading the gospel, as there are millions |
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If Any Man Be in Christ - Part 4 (Cd Quality) by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of dedicating our bodies to the Lord. He refers to Psalm 59, which describes the body as an instrument with ten strings, repr |
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Revival (Joseph) by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher talks about the harsh treatment of slaves in the past, where they were chained and made to work as human horses. He emphasizes the importance of bringi |
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Quiet Time - an Appointment With God by Peter Axup | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being aware of our actions and habits. He encourages keeping a log to understand how we spend our time and make necessary c |
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Musical Instruments of God by H.J. Vine | H.J. Vine preaches on the significance of music in worship, drawing parallels between the Old Testament instruments of praise made by King David and the living instruments of prais |
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Until My Change Comes by Thomas Watson | Thomas Watson preaches on the importance of understanding the brevity and challenges of life, likening it to a day with its shortness, vicissitudes, labor, and irreversibility, urg |