# By the Waters of Babylon explained — Magnolia Leaves

> Chapter companion for Magnolia Leaves by Mary Weston Fordham.

## What happens

The chapter opens with a poetic lamentation inspired by Psalm 137, expressing the sorrow and longing of exiles who cannot sing their sacred songs in a foreign land. The verses convey a deep sense of grief, displacement, and unwavering devotion to their homeland and faith.

## Themes in this chapter

### Grief and Mourning

The chapter is a direct expression of mourning and sorrow, with the exiles hanging their harps and refusing to sing in a strange land.

### Faith and Divine Providence

Despite captivity, the exiles affirm their devotion to God and their hope for return to Jerusalem, reflecting steadfast faith.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The narrator speaks as part of the collective exiles, expressing communal grief and longing for Zion.

## Key lines

> By the Rivers of Babylon we mournfully bent, With 'harps on the willows' and vesture all rent

We sat by the rivers of Babylon in mourning, hanging our harps on willow trees and tearing our clothes in grief.

_This opening line sets the tone of lament and captivity, drawing directly from Psalm 137._

> O! City of God, though as captives we go, Jerusalem’s weal we’ll never forego

O holy city, even though we are taken as captives, we will never abandon the welfare of Jerusalem.

_The exiles vow to remain loyal to Jerusalem despite their forced displacement._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/magnolia_leaves_se/chapters/by-the-waters-of-babylon
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/magnolia_leaves_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/magnolia_leaves_se/chapters