Book of the Prophet Ezekiel, Book of Psalms, Shepherd of Hermas

from Origen's Homilies 1 - 14 on Ezekiel;

Homily 1 #5 (2) translated by Thomas P. Sheck

vol. 62 Ancient Christian Writers series (2010, Newman

Press) page 35

These things have been recorded because the prophet

says And I was in the midst of the captivity

by the river Chebar [Ezek. 1:1], which means

heaviness.

For the river of this world is heavy, as it is said

elsewhere in a mystery (and for the simple and

for those for whom it unfolds history); but for 

those who hear the Scriptures spiritually, it

signifies the soul, which has fallen into the eddies

of this life.  By the rivers of Babylon, there we

sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion.

We hung our instruments on the willows in the

midst of it.  For there those who had led us as

captives asked us for the words of songs [Psalm

137:1-3].  These are the rivers of Babylon next 

to which they sit and reminisce for the heavenly

fatherland.  They mourn and weep when they

hang their instruments on the willows, namely,

on the willows of the law and of the mysteries

of God.  For it is written in a certain book that

"all believers receive a willow crown" [Shepherd

of Hermas VIII. 2. 1-3].  And it is said in Isaiah

They will spring up as grass between the water

and as a willow on the flowing water [44:4].

And in the solemn feast of God, when the 

tabernacles are arranged, they put willow

branches at certain places on the tabernacles

[Leviticus 23:40].