Psalms 137:2

  1. Home
  2. KJV Bible
  3. Psalms 137
  4. Psalms 137:2

Old Testament

Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Solomon Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi

New Testament

Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation

Chapter

Psalms 1 Psalms 2 Psalms 3 Psalms 4 Psalms 5 Psalms 6 Psalms 7 Psalms 8 Psalms 9 Psalms 10 Psalms 11 Psalms 12 Psalms 13 Psalms 14 Psalms 15 Psalms 16 Psalms 17 Psalms 18 Psalms 19 Psalms 20 Psalms 21 Psalms 22 Psalms 23 Psalms 24 Psalms 25 Psalms 26 Psalms 27 Psalms 28 Psalms 29 Psalms 30 Psalms 31 Psalms 32 Psalms 33 Psalms 34 Psalms 35 Psalms 36 Psalms 37 Psalms 38 Psalms 39 Psalms 40 Psalms 41 Psalms 42 Psalms 43 Psalms 44 Psalms 45 Psalms 46 Psalms 47 Psalms 48 Psalms 49 Psalms 50 Psalms 51 Psalms 52 Psalms 53 Psalms 54 Psalms 55 Psalms 56 Psalms 57 Psalms 58 Psalms 59 Psalms 60 Psalms 61 Psalms 62 Psalms 63 Psalms 64 Psalms 65 Psalms 66 Psalms 67 Psalms 68 Psalms 69 Psalms 70 Psalms 71 Psalms 72 Psalms 73 Psalms 74 Psalms 75 Psalms 76 Psalms 77 Psalms 78 Psalms 79 Psalms 80 Psalms 81 Psalms 82 Psalms 83 Psalms 84 Psalms 85 Psalms 86 Psalms 87 Psalms 88 Psalms 89 Psalms 90 Psalms 91 Psalms 92 Psalms 93 Psalms 94 Psalms 95 Psalms 96 Psalms 97 Psalms 98 Psalms 99 Psalms 100 Psalms 101 Psalms 102 Psalms 103 Psalms 104 Psalms 105 Psalms 106 Psalms 107 Psalms 108 Psalms 109 Psalms 110 Psalms 111 Psalms 112 Psalms 113 Psalms 114 Psalms 115 Psalms 116 Psalms 117 Psalms 118 Psalms 119 Psalms 120 Psalms 121 Psalms 122 Psalms 123 Psalms 124 Psalms 125 Psalms 126 Psalms 127 Psalms 128 Psalms 129 Psalms 130 Psalms 131 Psalms 132 Psalms 133 Psalms 134 Psalms 135 Psalms 136 Psalms 137 Psalms 138 Psalms 139 Psalms 140 Psalms 141 Psalms 142 Psalms 143 Psalms 144 Psalms 145 Psalms 146 Psalms 147 Psalms 148 Psalms 149 Psalms 150

Verse

Psalms 137:1 Psalms 137:2 Psalms 137:3 Psalms 137:4 Psalms 137:5 Psalms 137:6 Psalms 137:7 Psalms 137:8 Psalms 137:9

Psalms 137:2 KJV

We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

Previous Verse
« Psalms 137:1
Next Verse
Psalms 137:3 »

Psalms 137:2 Bible Commentary

Psalms 137:2 Commentary

Verse Text: "We hung our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof."

Overview of Psalm 137

This psalm speaks profoundly about the Israelites' sorrow during their Babylonian exile. It encapsulates their longing for Jerusalem and highlights the theme of lamentation in exile.

Contextual Background

The context of Psalms 137 is crucial for understanding its depth. After the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem, the Israelites found themselves uprooted and displaced. They were commanded to sing the songs of Zion while they mourned their homeland:

  • Historical Setting: The Babylonian captivity was a severe trial for the people of Israel, representing both physical and spiritual dislocation.
  • Theological Implications: This psalm reflects Israel's deep connection to their homeland, which was not merely a geographical place but a manifestation of their covenant relationship with God.

Interpretation of Key Phrases

The verse "We hung our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof" conveys several theological and emotional dimensions:

  • Symbolism of Harps: Harps were instruments of praise and joy. Their hanging symbolizes the abandonment of worship and joy in the face of grief, suggesting a state of deep despair.
  • Willows as a Symbol of Mourning: Willows are often associated with sadness and mourning. Their choice signifies the environment of sorrow surrounding the exiles.
  • Midst of Exile: This phrase highlights the painful juxtaposition of once singing God's praises in Zion versus their current state of desolation.

Commentary Insights

Matthew Henry's Insights

Henry reflects on the deep sorrow of the Israelites, noting that their mournful state led them to abandon their musical instruments:

  • The Despair of Exiles: He describes their sentiment as one of forgetting joy in the face of their trials, emphasizing the weight of loss that led them to hang their harps.
  • The Loss of Worship: Henry admonishes that this act signifies a departure from worship and raises the question of how to maintain joy in the midst of suffering.

Albert Barnes' Reflections

Barnes provides an expository approach, focusing on the literal and figurative elements of this verse:

  • Literal Interpretation: He draws attention to how the physical act of hanging their harps symbolizes a deeper spiritual disconnect and a mourning of their lost heritage.
  • Spiritual Message: Barnes notes that the act of hanging the harps on the willows should serve as a reminder to believers of the importance of maintaining a posture of worship, even in despair.

Adam Clarke's Analysis

Clarke elaborates on the emotional and cultural implications of this verse:

  • Emotional State: Clarke emphasizes the depth of emotion involved, expressing how the exiles felt their instruments could no longer serve a purpose in their lamentation.
  • Cultural Significance: He discusses the importance of songs in Jewish culture and how this act serves as a powerful illustration of cultural and spiritual loss.

Theological Reflections

The theological reflections drawn from this verse can be profound:

  • The Nature of Lament: The psalmist exemplifies a biblical response to suffering—lament. It encourages believers to bring their sorrows before God without pretense.
  • Restoration of Joy: The hanging of harps serves as a poignant reminder that mourning is part of the human experience, yet it opens the door for future restoration and joy in worship.

Conclusion

Psalms 137:2 serves as a timeless reminder of the struggles faced by those who undergo severe trials, like exile or persecution. This commentary draws from revered biblical scholars to illuminate the emotional, spiritual, and cultural ramifications of this text, emphasizing the importance of remembering our heritage, the significance of our worship, and the hope of ultimate restoration.

Psalms 137 (KJV) Verse Selection

Psalms 137:1 Psalms 137:2 Psalms 137:3 Psalms 137:4 Psalms 137:5 Psalms 137:6 Psalms 137:7 Psalms 137:8 Psalms 137:9

KJV Bible Books

KJV Bible Books and Chapters »