If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning; literally, let my right hand forget; but the words supplied in the Authorized Version are necessary to bring out the sense, which is, "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, so far as to desecrate thy sacred songs by making them an entertainment for the heathen, may I never have power to strike a note again!"
Bible Commentary
Psalms 137:5
The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 137:5
The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain
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The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 137:1-9Psalms 137:1-9 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION "THE most direct and striking reminiscence of the Babylonish exile in the whole Psalter" (Professor Alexander). The psalm divides into two parts. First, we are given a picture of the unhappy condition of the…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 137:1-9Psalms 137:1-9 · The Pulpit CommentaryIncongruity in religion. The psalm brings before us in very vivid color— I. THE DARK SHADOW CAST BY A GREAT GOOD. Patriotism is an excellent thing, and we are all of us glad and thankful to belong to a land of light and…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 137:1-9Psalms 137:1-9 · The Pulpit CommentaryFruits of exile from God. It was Israel's, or rather Judah's, exile from Zion and Jerusalem that this psalm commemorated; but the fruits that exile bore, and which are here told of, set forth the fruits of the yet sadde…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 137:1-6Psalms 137:1-6 · The Pulpit CommentaryBy the rivers of Babylon, etc. "The psalm expresses the feelings of an exile who has but just returned from the land of his captivity." I. THE LOSS OF LIBERTY TEMPORAL AND SPIRITUAL. 1. Brings after it the most desponde…Matthew Henry on Psalms 137:5-9Psalms 137:5-9 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryWhat we love, we love to think of. Those that rejoice in God, for his sake make Jerusalem their joy. They stedfastly resolved to keep up this affection. When suffering, we should recollect with godly sorrow our forfeite…
commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 137:1-6By the rivers of Babylon, etc. "The psalm expresses the feelings of an exile who has but just returned from the land of his captivity." I. THE LOSS OF LIBERTY TEMPORAL AND SPIRITUAL. 1. Brings after it the most desponde…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 137:1-9EXPOSITION "THE most direct and striking reminiscence of the Babylonish exile in the whole Psalter" (Professor Alexander). The psalm divides into two parts. First, we are given a picture of the unhappy condition of the…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 137:1-9Incongruity in religion. The psalm brings before us in very vivid color— I. THE DARK SHADOW CAST BY A GREAT GOOD. Patriotism is an excellent thing, and we are all of us glad and thankful to belong to a land of light and…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 137:1-9Fruits of exile from God. It was Israel's, or rather Judah's, exile from Zion and Jerusalem that this psalm commemorated; but the fruits that exile bore, and which are here told of, set forth the fruits of the yet sadde…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 137:5-9What we love, we love to think of. Those that rejoice in God, for his sake make Jerusalem their joy. They stedfastly resolved to keep up this affection. When suffering, we should recollect with godly sorrow our forfeite…Matthew Henry