Psalms 137:2

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

Psalms 137:2 (KJV)

Context

Psalm 137 is a lament composed during the Babylonian exile, the period after Jerusalem’s destruction in 586 BC when many Israelites were taken captive to Babylon. The opening verse sets the scene by the rivers of Babylon, where the exiles sat and wept when they remembered Zion. Verse 2 records that they hanged their harps upon the willows in the midst of that foreign land.

Meaning

In biblical times, the harp was a musical instrument often associated with joy, worship, and praise. It was commonly used in the temple for singing psalms and offering sacrifices to God. The Levites, who appear to be the persons speaking here, had carried their harps with them to Babylon, hoping to use them again. Hanging their harps on the willows symbolizes a loss of joy, hope, and the inability to worship and praise God in a foreign land. The willow tree is known for its drooping branches and is often found near rivers or streams. In this context, the willows represent the foreign land of Babylon, which was situated near the rivers of Babylon. It symbolizes the place where the Israelites found themselves in exile, far away from their homeland and the temple where they used to worship God.

The act of hanging their harps on the willows demonstrates the deep mourning and despair experienced by the Israelites in captivity. They were unable to find joy or sing songs of praise in a land that was foreign and hostile to their faith. It reflects their longing for their homeland and the spiritual connection they had with Jerusalem and the temple. The exiles’ sorrow was so great they had no heart to make use of their instruments, and therefore hung them upon the willows as useless things. They did not break their harps or throw them into the stream, but only hung them up, indicating hope that they would be resumed.

Biblical connections

The following verse shows their captors demanding they sing the songs of Zion, which they found impossible in their state of exile and grief, asking how they could sing the LORD’s song in a strange land. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of our spiritual connection with God and the significance of worship in our lives. It shows that there are times when circumstances can be so overwhelming and discouraging that we may find it difficult to express our joy or connect with God. However, even in the midst of pain and exile, the psalmist’s heart and longing for Jerusalem remained.

Application

While this verse reflects a moment of sorrow and despair, it is important to note that the psalm does not end there. As we continue reading Psalm 137, we see the psalmist’s prayer for justice and a plea for God’s judgment upon their oppressors. The psalm ends with a longing for God’s intervention and a confident hope in His faithfulness.