Psalms 137:3
In what day soever I shall call upon thee, hear me: thou shall multiply strength in my soul.
Open Psalms 137:3 in the Motif Searcher, word by word across all five texts →Show on the spiral →The verse in its languages
- Vulgate (Clementine)
- In quacumque die invocavero te, exaudi me ; multiplicabis in anima mea virtutem.
- Septuagint (Swete)
- ἐν ᾗ ἂν ἡμέρᾳ ἐπικαλέσωμαι, ταχὺ ἐπάκουσόν μου· πολυωρήσεις με ἐν ψυχῇ μου ἐν δυνάμει πολλῇ.
- Hebrew (WLC) shown from Psalms 138:3
- בְּי֣וֹם קָ֭רָֽאתִי וַֽתַּעֲנֵ֑נִי תַּרְהִבֵ֖נִי בְנַפְשִׁ֣י עֹֽז
The Fathers on this verse
St Augustine City of God, That Man’s Transgression Did Not Annul the Blessing of Fecundity Pronounced Upon Man Before He Sinned But Infected It with the Disease of Lust
Far be it, then, from us to suppose that our first parents in Paradise felt that lust which caused them afterwards to blush and hide their nakedness, or that by its means they should have fulfilled the benediction of God, “Increase and multiply and replenish the earth;” for it was after sin that lust began. It was after sin that our nature, having lost the power it had over the whole body, but not having lost all shame, perceived, noticed, blushed at, and covered it. But that blessing upon marriage, which encouraged them to increase and multiply and replenish the earth, though it continued even after they had sinned, was yet given before they sinned, in order that the procreation of children might be recognized as part of the glory of marriage, and not of the punishment of sin. …
St Augustine On the Good of Marriage, Section 2
2. Nor is it now necessary that we enquire, and put forth a definite opinion on that question, whence could exist the progeny of the first men, whom God had blessed, saying, “Increase, and be ye multiplied, and fill the earth;” if they had not sinned, whereas their bodies by sinning deserved the condition of death, and there can be no sexual intercourse save of mortal bodies. For there have existed several and different opinions on this matter; and if we must examine, which of them be rather agreeable to the truth of Divine Scriptures, there is matter for a lengthened discussion. …
St Augustine Expositions on the Book of Psalms, Psalm CXXVIII
6. …Such children ought therefore to be “around” the Lord’s “table, like olive-branches.” A complete Vine it is, a great bliss: who would now refuse to be there? When thou seest any blasphemer have a wife, children, grandchildren, and thyself perchance without them, envy them not; discern that the promise hath been fulfilled in thee also, but spiritually. If therefore we have, why have we? Because we fear the Lord. “Lo, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord” ( ver. 4 ). He is the man, who is also the men; and the men are one man; because many are one, because Christ is One.
St Augustine Expositions on the Book of Psalms, Psalm CXXXVIII
5. “In what day soever I call upon Thee, do Thou quickly hear me” ( ver. 3 ). Wherefore, “quickly”? Because Thou hast said, “While yet thou art speaking I will say, Lo, here I am.” Wherefore, “quickly”? Because now I seek not earthly happiness, I have learnt holy longings from the New Testament. I seek not earth, nor earthly abundance, nor temporal health, nor the overthrow of my enemies, nor riches, nor rank: nought of these do I seek: therefore “quickly hear me.” Since Thou hast taught me what to seek, grant what I seek.…