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Psalm 137 Hebrew Interlinear
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Read Psalms 137 in modern English — World English Bible (9 verses)
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1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down. Yes, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
2 On the willows in that land, we hung up our harps.
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!”
4 How can we sing Yahweh’s song in a foreign land?
5 If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill.
6 Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don’t remember you; if I don’t prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy.
7 Remember, Yahweh, against the children of Edom, the day of Jerusalem; who said, “Raze it! Raze it even to its foundation!”
8 Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, he will be happy who rewards you, as you have served us.
9 Happy shall he be, who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock.
Study tools for Psalms 137
Cross-references, Hebrew word study, and what the Early Church wrote about Psalms 137. Tap any section to expand — or right-click any verse for the full interactive study panel.
Psalms 137 study resources: word-by-word Hebrew interlinear with Strong's numbers, 14 cross-references, 2 Early-Church citations.
Cross-references in Psalms 137 (14)
- v.9 Isaiah 13:16
- v.8 Revelation 18:6
- v.7 Lamentations 4:21-22
- v.9 Nahum 3:10
- v.9 Hosea 13:16
- v.1 Ezekiel 1:1
- v.9 2 Kings 8:12
- v.9 Hosea 10:14
- v.7 Jeremiah 49:7-22
- v.7 Ezekiel 25:12-14
- v.7 Obadiah 1:10-14
- v.1 Ezekiel 3:15
- v.4 Amos 8:3
- v.7 Ezekiel 35:2
Hebrew interlinear — Psalms 137:1–9 (82 words)
1
- עַ֥לʿal`al: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of...H5921
- נַהֲר֨וֹת׀nahărôtnahar: a stream (including the sea; expec. the Nile, Euphrates, etc.)H5104
- בָּבֶ֗לbābelBabel: confusion; Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empireH894
- שָׁ֣םšāmsham: there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thenceH8033
- יָ֭שַׁבְנוּyāšabnûyashab: (properly) to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet)H3427
- גַּםgamgam: (properly) assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, thoughH1571
- בָּכִ֑ינוּbākînûbakah: to weep; (generally) to bemoanH1058
- בְּ֝זָכְרֵ֗נוּbĕzokrēnûzakar: (properly) to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to rememberH2142
- אֶתʾeteth: (properly) self; (generally) used to point out the object of a verb (or preposition) more definitelyH853
- צִיּֽוֹן׃ṣiyyônTsiyown: Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of JerusalemH6726
2
- עַֽלʿal`al: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of...H5921
- עֲרָבִ֥יםʿărābîm`arab: a willow (from the use of osiers as wattles)H6155
- בְּתוֹכָ֑הּbĕtôkāhtavek: a bisection; (by implication) the centreH8432
- תָּ֝לִ֗ינוּtālînûtalah: to suspend (especially to gibbet)H8518
- כִּנֹּרוֹתֵֽינוּ׃kinnōrôtênûkinnowr: a harpH3658
3
- כִּ֤יkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
- שָׁ֨םšāmsham: there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thenceH8033
- שְֽׁאֵל֪וּנוּšĕʾēlûnûsha'al: to inquire; (by implication) to requestH7592
- שׁוֹבֵ֡ינוּšôbênûshabah: to transport into captivityH7617
- דִּבְרֵיdibrêdabar: a word; (by implication) a matter (as spoken of) or thingH1697
- שִׁ֭ירšîrshiyr: a song; abstractly, singingH7892
- וְתוֹלָלֵ֣ינוּwĕtôlālênûtowlal: causing to howl, i.e. an oppressorH8437
- שִׂמְחָ֑הśimḥâsimchah: blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)H8057
- שִׁ֥ירוּšîrûshiyr: to singH7891
- לָ֝֗נוּlānû
- מִשִּׁ֥ירmiššîrshiyr: a song; abstractly, singingH7892
- צִיּֽוֹן׃ṣiyyônTsiyown: Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of JerusalemH6726
4
- אֵ֗יךְʾêkeyk: how? or how!; (also) where?H349
- נָשִׁ֥ירnāšîrshiyr: to singH7891
- אֶתʾeteth: (properly) self; (generally) used to point out the object of a verb (or preposition) more definitelyH853
- שִׁירšîrshiyr: a song; abstractly, singingH7892
- יְהוָ֑הyĕhwâYhovah: (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of GodH3068
- עַ֝֗לʿal`al: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of...H5921
- אַדְמַ֥תʾadmatadamah: soil (from its general redness)H127
- נֵכָֽר׃nēkārnekar: foreign, or (concretely) a foreigner, or (abstractly) heathendomH5236
5
- אִֽםʾimim: (used very widely as demonstrative) lo!; (interrogatively) whether?H518
- אֶשְׁכָּחֵ֥ךְʾeškāḥēkshakach: to mislay, i.e. to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attentionH7911
- יְֽרוּשָׁלִָ֗םyĕrûšālāimYruwshalaim: founded peaceful; Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of IsraelH3389
- תִּשְׁכַּ֥חtiškaḥshakach: to mislay, i.e. to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attentionH7911
- יְמִינִֽי׃yĕmînîyamiyn: the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous)H3225
6
- תִּדְבַּ֥קtidbaqdabaq: (properly) to impinge, i.e. cling or adhereH1692
- לְשׁוֹנִ֨י׀lĕšônîlashown: the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and...H3956
- לְחִכִּי֮lĕḥikkiychek: (properly) the palate or inside of the mouthH2441
- אִםʾimim: (used very widely as demonstrative) lo!; (interrogatively) whether?H518
- לֹ֪אlōʾlo': (the simple or absolute negation) not; (by implication) noH3808
- אֶ֫זְכְּרֵ֥כִיʾezkĕrēkîzakar: (properly) to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to rememberH2142
- אִםʾimim: (used very widely as demonstrative) lo!; (interrogatively) whether?H518
- לֹ֣אlōʾlo': (the simple or absolute negation) not; (by implication) noH3808
- אַ֭עֲלֶהʾaʿăle`alah: to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount)H5927
- אֶתʾeteth: (properly) self; (generally) used to point out the object of a verb (or preposition) more definitelyH853
- יְרוּשָׁלִַ֑םyĕrûšālaimYruwshalaim: founded peaceful; Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of IsraelH3389
- עַ֝֗לʿal`al: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of...H5921
- רֹ֣אשׁrōšro'sh: the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank...H7218
- שִׂמְחָתִֽי׃śimḥātîsimchah: blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)H8057
7
- זְכֹ֤רzĕkōrzakar: (properly) to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to rememberH2142
- יְהוָ֨ה׀yĕhwâYhovah: (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of GodH3068
- לִבְנֵ֬יlibnêben: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including...H1121
- אֱד֗וֹםʾĕdômEdom: red (see Gen. 25; Edom, the elder twin-brother of JacobH123
- אֵת֮ʾēteth: (properly) self; (generally) used to point out the object of a verb (or preposition) more definitelyH853
- י֤וֹםyômyowm: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or...H3117
- יְֽרוּשָׁ֫לִָ֥םyĕrûšālāimYruwshalaim: founded peaceful; Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of IsraelH3389
- הָ֭אֹ֣מְרִיםhāʾōmĕrîmamar: to say (used with great latitude)H559
- עָ֤רוּ׀ʿārû`arah: to be (causatively, make) bare; (hence) to empty, pour out, demolishH6168
- עָ֑רוּʿārû`arah: to be (causatively, make) bare; (hence) to empty, pour out, demolishH6168
- עַ֝֗דʿad`ad: (properly) a (peremptory) terminusH5704
- הַיְס֥וֹדhaysôdycowd: a foundation (literally or figuratively)H3247
8
- בַּתbatbath: a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)H1323
- בָּבֶ֗לbābelBabel: confusion; Babel (i.e. Babylon), including Babylonia and the Babylonian empireH894
- הַשְּׁד֫וּדָ֥הhaššĕdûdâshadad: (properly) to be burly; (figuratively) to be powerfulH7703
- אַשְׁרֵ֥יʾašrêesher: happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy!H835
- שֶׁיְשַׁלֶּםšêšallemshalam: to be safe (in mind, body or estate); (figuratively) to be completedH7999
- לָ֑ךְlāk
- אֶתʾeteth: (properly) self; (generally) used to point out the object of a verb (or preposition) more definitelyH853
- גְּ֝מוּלֵ֗ךְgĕmûlēkgmuwl: treatment, i.e. an act (of good or ill); (by implication) service or requitalH1576
- שֶׁגָּמַ֥לְתְּšeggāmalĕtgamal: to treat a person (well or ill), i.e. benefit or requiteH1580
9
- אַשְׁרֵ֤י׀ʾašrêesher: happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy!H835
- שֶׁיֹּאחֵ֓זšeyyōʾḥēzachaz: to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)H270
- וְנִפֵּ֬ץwĕnippēṣnaphats: to dash to pieces, or scatterH5310
- אֶֽתʾeteth: (properly) self; (generally) used to point out the object of a verb (or preposition) more definitelyH853
- עֹ֝לָלַ֗יִךְʿōlālayik`owlel: a sucklingH5768
- אֶלʾelel: (properly) denoting motion towards, but occasionally used of a quiescent position, i.e. near, with or amongH413
- הַסָּֽלַע׃hassālaʿcela`: a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress)H5553
Strong's words in Psalms 137 (6)
- Strong's H2142 — בְּ֝זָכְרֵ֗נוּ (bĕzokrēnû)
- zakar (zaw-kar') v. 1. (properly) to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember 2. (by implication) to mention 3. (also, as denominative from H2145) to be male [a primitive root] KJV: X burn (incense), X earnestly, be male, (make) mention (of), be mindful, recount, record(-er), remember, make to be remembered, bring (call, come, keep, put) to (in) remembrance, X still, think on, X well. See also: H2145. Appears 3 times in Psalms 137.
- Strong's H3389 — יְֽרוּשָׁלִָ֗ם (yĕrûšālāim)
- Yruwshalaim (yer-oo-shaw-lah'-im) (rarely Yruwshalayim {yer-oo- shaw-lah'-yim}) n/l. 1. founded peaceful 2. Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Israel [a dual (in allusion to its two main hills (the true pointing, at least of the former reading, seems to be that of H3390)); probably from (the passive participle of) H3384 and H7999] KJV: Jerusalem. Root(s): H3390, H3384, H7999. Appears 3 times in Psalms 137.
- Strong's H518 — אִֽם (ʾim)
- im (eem) prt. 1. (used very widely as demonstrative) lo! 2. (interrogatively) whether? 3. (conditionally), if, although 4. (also) Oh that!, when 5. (hence, as a negative) not [a primitive particle] KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), + but, either, + except, + more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, + save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, + surely (no more, none, not), though, + of a truth, + unless, + verily, when, whereas, whether, while, + yet.. Appears 3 times in Psalms 137.
- Strong's H7892 — שִׁ֭יר (šîr)
- shiyr (sheer) (or feminine shiyrah {shee-raw'}) n-f. 1. a song 2. abstractly, singing [from H7891] KJV: musical(-ick), X sing(-er, -ing), song. Root(s): H7891. Appears 3 times in Psalms 137.
- Strong's H3068 — יְהוָ֑ה (yĕhwâ)
- Yhovah (yeh-ho-vaw') n/p. 1. (the) self-Existent or Eternal 2. Jehovah, Jewish national name of God [from H1961] KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Root(s): H1961 Compare: H3050, H3069. Appears 2 times in Psalms 137.
- Strong's H6168 — עָ֤רוּ׀ (ʿārû)
- `arah (aw-raw') v. 1. to be (causatively, make) bare 2. (hence) to empty, pour out, demolish [a primitive root] KJV: leave destitute, discover, empty, make naked, pour (out), rase, spread self, uncover.. Appears 2 times in Psalms 137.
“To continue with our subject, let us take in our hands and examine this psalm, which the pure and stainless souls sing to God, saying, “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down; we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps on the willows in the midst thereof,” clea...”
What the Early Church wrote about Psalms 137 (1)
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“In this sense also we understand the language of Psalm 137: “O daughter of Babylon, who is to be destroyed; happy shall he be that rewards you as you have served us; happy shall he be that takes and dashes your little ones against the stones.” For “the little ones” of Babylon...”