Psalms – Chapter 137

Old Testament8 Verses

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.

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

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