Psalms / Chapter 137

Psalms 137

In exile by Babylon’s waterways, the psalm moves from grief and silence to a fierce vow of loyalty to Jerusalem, then to blunt calls for God to remember wrongs and repay violent ruin.

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Psalms 137 Scripture text

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Full passage context

Psalms 137

Start with the map and timeline, then explore verse notes, background, theology, questions, and related passages.

Start here

Map and timeline

Movement

Worship across the whole story

Artifact

Prayer book of the covenant people

Biblical Timeline

Kingdom

Creation

Kingdom

New creation

Psalms context: 1000 BC - 586 BC

Biblical Timeline

Kingdom

Psalms context

Kingdom / 1000 BC - 586 BC

CreationNew creation

Creation4000 BCPatriarchs2000 BCExodus1500 BCKingdom1000 BC2nd Temple400 BCChurchAD 100

Psalms context is set in the kingdom period, where Israel's monarchy from David and Solomon to exile.

Chapter structure

Follow the movement of the chapter, then open any passage in its full context.

KeyIntroductionExplanationProgrammatic StatementAppealWarning

Tears by Babylon's rivers

Introduction

137:1-2

Captors demand Zion songs

Explanation

137:3-4

Oath of loyalty to Jerusalem

Programmatic Statement

137:5-6

Call to remember Edom's cries

Appeal

137:7

Judgment wish against Babylon

Warning

137:8-9

Passages in this chapter

Tears by Babylon's rivers137:1-2 Captors demand Zion songs137:3-4 Oath of loyalty to Jerusalem137:5-6 Call to remember Edom's cries137:7 Judgment wish against Babylon137:8-9

Context snapshot

Date

Collected across Israel's worship life, c. 1000-450 BC

Genre

Poetry, prayer, and praise

Setting

Israel/Judah worship tradition

Audience

Israel

World Stage

c. 1000-450 BC

Israel and Judah across monarchy, exile, and return

Davidic and temple worship leaders collection over centuries

Psalms gathers prayers and songs from royal, temple, crisis, exile, and restoration settings. Its world is Israel's worship life across generations, bringing covenant memory into praise, lament, confession, and hope.

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BiblePsalmsChapter 137

Psalms / Chapter 137

Psalms 137

In exile by Babylon’s waterways, the psalm moves from grief and silence to a fierce vow of loyalty to Jerusalem, then to blunt calls for God to remember wrongs and repay violent ruin.

Read

Chapter