1 By the rivers H5104 of Babylon, H894 there we sat down, H3427 yea, we wept, H1058 when we remembered H2142 Zion. H6726
2 We hanged H8518 our harps H3658 upon the willows H6155 in the midst H8432 thereof.
3 For there they that carried us away captive H7617 required H7592 of us a song; H1697 H7892 and they that wasted H8437 us required of us mirth, H8057 saying, Sing H7891 us one of the songs H7892 of Zion. H6726
4 How shall we sing H7891 the LORD'S H3068 song H7892 in a strange H5236 land? H127
5 If I forget H7911 thee, O Jerusalem, H3389 let my right hand H3225 forget H7911 her cunning.
6 If I do not remember H2142 thee, let my tongue H3956 cleave H1692 to the roof of my mouth; H2441 if I prefer H5927 not Jerusalem H3389 above my chief H7218 joy. H8057
7 Remember, H2142 O LORD, H3068 the children H1121 of Edom H123 in the day H3117 of Jerusalem; H3389 who said, H559 Rase H6168 it, rase H6168 it, even to the foundation H3247 thereof.
8 O daughter H1323 of Babylon, H894 who art to be destroyed; H7703 happy H835 shall he be, that rewardeth H7999 thee as thou hast served H1580 H1576 us.
9 Happy H835 shall he be, that taketh H270 and dasheth H5310 thy little ones H5768 against the stones. H5553
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 137
Commentary on Psalms 137 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 137
Ps 137:1-9. This Psalm records the mourning of the captive Israelites, and a prayer and prediction respecting the destruction of their enemies.
1. rivers of Babylon—the name of the city used for the whole country.
remembered Zion—or, Jerusalem, as in Ps 132:13.
2. upon the willows—which may have grown there then, if not now; as the palm, which was once common, is now rare in Palestine.
3, 4. Whether the request was in curiosity or derision, the answer intimates that a compliance was incongruous with their mournful feelings (Pr 25:20).
5, 6. For joyful songs would imply forgetfulness of their desolated homes and fallen Church. The solemn imprecations on the hand and tongue, if thus forgetful, relate to the cunning or skill in playing, and the power of singing.
7-9. Remember … the children of Edom—(Compare Ps 132:1), that is, to punish.
the day of Jerusalem—its downfall (La 4:21, 22; Ob 11-13).
8. daughter of Babylon—the people (Ps 9:13). Their destruction had been abundantly foretold (Isa 13:14; Jer 51:23). For the terribleness of that destruction, God's righteous judgment, and not the passions of the chafed Israelites, was responsible.