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Psalms 137:1

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
KJV ORIGINAL
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE

By the rivers of Babylon, we sat down and wept as we remembered Zion.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

The writer is expressing deep grief and homesickness for Jerusalem while living in exile in Babylon.

📚 Historical Context

This psalm was written by Jewish exiles in Babylon during their captivity following the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC, a time of profound displacement and loss for God's people. By the rivers of Babylon, the exiles sat and wept as they recalled Zion, representing their deep homesickness and grief over the loss of their sacred homeland. This reflects the broader biblical narrative of exile as a consequence of unfaithfulness, highlighting God's ongoing covenant with Israel despite their suffering.

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