Psalms – Chapter 136

Old Testament • 9 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 136 of Psalms begins: "Upon the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept: when we remembered Sion:" Across its 9 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and worship and praise. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1Upon the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept: when we remembered Sion:

2On the willows in the midst thereof we hung up our instruments.

3For there they that led us into captivity required of us the words of songs. And they that carried us away, said: Sing ye to us a hymn of the songs of Sion.

4How shall we sing the song of the Lord in a strange land?

5If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten.

6Let my tongue cleave to my jaws, if I do not remember thee: If I make not Jerusalem the beginning of my joy.

7Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom, in the day of Jerusalem: Who say: Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.

8O daughter of Babylon, miserable: blessed shall he be who shall repay thee thy payment which thou hast paid us.

9Blessed be he that shall take and dash thy little ones against the rock.

Important Verses in Psalms 136

“Upon the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept: when we remembered Sion:”

Psalms 136:1

“How shall we sing the song of the Lord in a strange land?”

Psalms 136:4

“Blessed be he that shall take and dash thy little ones against the rock. ”

Psalms 136:9

Historical Context

Psalms belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for god's people at prayer in every age. Chapter 136 of 150 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a liturgical poem composed for Temple worship and personal prayer with 9 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. It opens with the line: "Upon the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept: when we remembered Sion:" The chapter ends with: "Blessed be he that shall take and dash thy little ones against the rock. " The wider setting of Psalms is this: The 150 Psalms are the inspired prayer book of Israel and of the Church, spanning every human emotion—praise, lament, thanksgiving, repentance, and hope. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Who Wrote It

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists

When It Was Written

Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, the psalmist voices praise, lament, thanksgiving, or petition before God. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Upon the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept: when we remembered Sion:" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads Psalms 136 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). St. Athanasius and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 26).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • ✓The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • ✓Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • ✓Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

Reflection for Today

Psalms Chapter 136 belongs to the Old Testament and forms part of the Catholic canon proclaimed in the liturgy of the Word.

Through typology, the Church often reads Old Testament passages as preparing for Christ, while New Testament passages reveal Him explicitly. the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). Here the believer is invited to ponder worship as the heart of the Christian life.

Let Psalms Chapter 136 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Psalms Chapter 136 about?

Psalms 136 contains 9 verses. It opens with "Upon the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept: when we remembered Sion:" and closes with "Blessed be he that shall take and dash thy little ones against the rock. ". The book as a whole is liturgical poetry and prayer.

What is a key verse in Psalms 136?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Upon the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept: when we remembered Sion:" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Psalms and when?

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists. Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Related Chapters

Genesis 4Shares people and themes with this chapterExodus 5Shares people and themes with this chapterLeviticus 9Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer for the Family🙏Novena to the Holy Family🙏Gloria in Excelsis🙏The Divine Praises

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