Psalms 137:6
Psalms 137:6 in Multiple Translations
May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not exalt Jerusalem as my greatest joy!
If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, If I remember thee not; If I prefer not Jerusalem Above my chief joy.
If I let you go out of my thoughts, and if I do not put Jerusalem before my greatest joy, let my tongue be fixed to the roof of my mouth.
May my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don't remember you—if I don't consider Jerusalem my greatest joy.
If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleaue to the roofe of my mouth: yea, if I preferre not Ierusalem to my chiefe ioy.
My tongue doth cleave to my palate, If I do not remember thee, If I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.
Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don’t remember you, if I don’t prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy.
If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
For the Lord is high, and looketh on the low: and the high he knoweth afar off.
Do not allow me to sing again [MTY], if I forget about Jerusalem, if I do not consider that Jerusalem causes me to be more joyful than anything else does.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 137:6
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Psalms 137:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 137:6
Study Notes — Psalms 137:6
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 137:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 137:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 137:6
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 137:6
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 137:6
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 137:6
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 137:6
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 137:6
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 137:6
- Sermons on Psalms 137:6
Context — By the Rivers of Babylon
6May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not exalt Jerusalem as my greatest joy!
7Remember, O LORD, the sons of Edom on the day Jerusalem fell: “Destroy it,” they said, “tear it down to its foundations!” 8O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, blessed is he who repays you as you have done to us.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 3:26 | I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth, and you will be silent and unable to rebuke them, though they are a rebellious house. |
| 2 | Psalms 22:15 | My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You lay me in the dust of death. |
| 3 | Job 29:10 | The voices of the nobles were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roofs of their mouths. |
| 4 | Isaiah 41:17 | The poor and needy seek water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. |
| 5 | Psalms 84:10 | For better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. |
| 6 | Lamentations 4:4 | The nursing infant’s tongue clings in thirst to the roof of his mouth. Little children beg for bread, but no one gives them any. |
| 7 | 1 Thessalonians 3:7–9 | For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we have been reassured about you, because of your faith. For now we can go on living, as long as you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we adequately thank God for you in return for our great joy over you in His presence? |
| 8 | Acts 20:24 | But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. |
| 9 | Matthew 6:33 | But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. |
| 10 | Philippians 1:20 | I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. |
Psalms 137:6 Summary
[This verse means that the psalmist loves Jerusalem so much that he would rather not be able to speak than forget about it, similar to how we feel about the things and people we love, as seen in Psalms 119:97 and Song of Solomon 8:6-7. He wants to remember and honor the city above all else, and this desire is rooted in his love for God and His people. Just like the psalmist, we can prioritize our love and devotion to God and seek to honor Him in all we do, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:5 and Matthew 22:37-38. By doing so, we can cultivate a deeper love for Him and His people, and remember our spiritual home, just as the psalmist remembered Jerusalem.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the tongue to cling to the roof of the mouth?
This is a figurative expression meaning to be unable to speak, as seen in Psalms 137:6, where the psalmist is saying that if he forgets Jerusalem, he would rather be mute than speak, similar to the sentiment in Ezekiel 3:26 where the prophet is made mute by God.
Why is Jerusalem so important to the psalmist?
Jerusalem is the city of God, the place where He dwells among His people, as seen in Psalms 46:4-5, and the psalmist's greatest joy is to remember and exalt it, reflecting the love and devotion of God's people for their spiritual home, similar to the feelings expressed in Psalms 84:1-4.
Is this verse about the psalmist's personal experience or a prayer for others?
This verse is the psalmist's personal expression of devotion to Jerusalem, as seen in the use of 'I' and 'my', and his desire to remember and exalt the city, similar to the personal expressions of love and devotion in Song of Solomon 1:4 and Psalms 42:1-2.
How can we apply this verse to our own lives as believers?
As believers, we can apply this verse by prioritizing our love and devotion to God and His people, just as the psalmist prioritized his love for Jerusalem, and seek to exalt and honor Him in all we do, as seen in Colossians 3:17 and Psalms 105:1-3.
Reflection Questions
- What is the source of my greatest joy, and how does it compare to the psalmist's love for Jerusalem?
- In what ways can I exalt and honor God in my daily life, just as the psalmist desired to exalt Jerusalem?
- How can I cultivate a deeper love and devotion for God and His people, just as the psalmist had for Jerusalem?
- What are some ways I can remember and prioritize my spiritual home, just as the psalmist remembered Jerusalem?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 137:6
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 137:6
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 137:6
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 137:6
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 137:6
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 137:6
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 137:6
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 137:6
Sermons on Psalms 137:6
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Sweetness of Knowing Christ by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a man who finds himself in a room with a dog after being beaten and tied up. The man is initially afraid of the dog, but as they sp |
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How to Seek the Saints' Rest While on Earth by Richard Baxter | Richard Baxter preaches on the importance of being convinced of the value of heaven, emphasizing the need for this conviction to deeply sink into our hearts to motivate us. He urge |
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(Genesis) - Part 6 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of hard work and discipline in the life of a believer. He references the example of Paul, who worked tirelessly and faced hard |
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Arrogant, Overfed, and Unconcerned by Jackie Pullinger | In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a young girl named Karen who faces many challenges in her life. Despite her difficult circumstances, Karen takes on responsibilitie |
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The Glory of the Last Days by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses a biblical story where the Israelites were trapped at the Red Sea with the enemy army behind them. He compares this situation to the challeng |
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God's River by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the significance of Jesus' incarnation and sacrifice for humanity. He explains that Jesus came to earth as God in human form, performed mira |
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(The Lord - Merciful and Gracious) 3. the Lord on the Side of the Poor and Needy by Roy Hession | In this sermon, the speaker begins by describing the dramatic and thunderous opening of the sermon, comparing it to the witches in Hammett's play. The speaker then mentions a beaut |







