Psalms – Chapter 137

Old Testament • 8 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 137 of Psalms begins: "For David himself. I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: for thou hast heard the words of my mouth. I will sing praise to thee…" David stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 8 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and sin and divine judgment. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1For David himself. I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: for thou hast heard the words of my mouth. I will sing praise to thee in the sight of the angels:

2I will worship towards thy holy temple, and I will give glory to thy name. For thy mercy, and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy holy name above all.

3In what day soever I shall call upon thee, hear me: thou shalt multiply strength in my soul.

4May all the kings of the earth give glory to thee: for they have heard all the words of thy mouth.

5And let them sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord.

6For the Lord is high, and looketh on the low: and the high he knoweth afar off.

7If I shall walk in the midst of tribulation, thou wilt quicken me: and thou hast stretched forth thy hand against the wrath of my enemies: and thy right hand hath saved me.

8The Lord will repay for me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: O despise not the works of thy hands.

Important Verses in Psalms 137

“I will worship towards thy holy temple, and I will give glory to thy name. For thy mercy, and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy holy name above all.”

Psalms 137:2

“And let them sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord.”

Psalms 137:5

“The Lord will repay for me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: O despise not the works of thy hands. ”

Psalms 137:8

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Psalms was written with god's people at prayer in every age in view. Chapter 137 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 8 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. David appear at the center of the events recorded here. It opens with the line: "For David himself. I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: for thou hast heard the words of my mouth. I will…" It concludes: "The Lord will repay for me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: O despise not the works of thy hands. " Read against its original backdrop, The 150 Psalms are the inspired prayer book of Israel and of the Church, spanning every human emotion—praise, lament, thanksgiving, repentance, and hope. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: 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 2: "I will worship towards thy holy temple, and I will give glory to thy name. For thy mercy, and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy holy name above all." The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

Catholic exegesis reads Psalms 137 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. John Damascene and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 461).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that God invites us to bring all our emotions to Him. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Psalms 137 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • ✓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.
  • ✓God's mercy is greater than any sin; He calls us to receive His forgiveness and extend it to others.

People in This Chapter

David1 mention

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims Psalms Chapter 137 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in Psalms Chapter 137. At the moral level, the unity of Scripture and the Magisterium challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 265).

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of the unity of Scripture and the Magisterium bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Psalms Chapter 137 about?

Psalms 137 contains 8 verses. It opens with "For David himself. I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: for thou hast heard the words of my mouth. I will…" and closes with "The Lord will repay for me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: O despise not the works of thy hands. ". The book as a whole is liturgical poetry and prayer.

What is a key verse in Psalms 137?

One of the most significant verses is verse 2: "I will worship towards thy holy temple, and I will give glory to thy name. For thy mercy, and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy holy name above all." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Psalms Chapter 137?

This chapter mentions David.

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

2 Samuel 24Shares people and themes with this chapter1 Chronicles 16Shares people and themes with this chapterNehemiah 12Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Gloria in Excelsis🙏The Divine Praises🙏Act of Contrition🙏Kyrie Eleison

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