Psalms 137
DortA sad complaint of the Jews in Babel over the scoffing and jearing of their enemies, which would have them sing merry songs, their constant hope in God, together with a curse upon Edom and Babel.
1. AT, [These are the words of the Priests and Levitical singers, whose office was to praise God with musical instruments, as appears, 1 Chron.25. And it seemeth that the Levites endited this Psalm] the river [in the land of Babylon there are many rivers, of which Euhrates and Tigris are the Chiefest] of Babel, [or Babylon, the chiefest City of Chaldee, or Sinear, where Nimrod reigned, Gen.10.10. See the Annot. There. Hence it is, that Babel, or Babylon is called the land of Nimrod, Mich.5.8. See further of the name of Babel, Gen.11.9. with the Annotations. But under the name of Babel, we must here understand the several Countries appertaining to the Monarchy of Babylon] there we sate [i.e. there we dwelt or sojourned, banished out of our own Country, being strangers there, and full of sorrows] we also wept when we thought on Zion. [to wit, the destruction of the City and Temple of Jerusalem.
2. We hung up our harps [Thereby testifying, that we had more cause, and were more disposed to mourn, then to play or sing] on the willows [which love to grow along the banks or rivers sides] which are therein. [Hebr. In the midst of her, viz. Of Babel or Babylon. Implying they had left their musical instruments there, and given them quite over, having no mind to use them more: However we would not be drawn in any wise to sing any of our spiritual songs at the desire of the Babylonians, that had carried us away captives.]
3. When those there which held us captives desired of us [To wit, jeeringly, and by way of reproach] the words of a song: [i.e. a song: so we have words of wonders, for wonders, Psalms 145:5.] and they that had overthrown, [others plundered, spoiled] us, [i.e. our houses: others, of hanged ones, (to wit of our harps hung up) they required joy;] joy, [or mirth. The sence would be fuller thus read, they desired of us words of joy. i.e. that we should be merry and frollick] (saying) sing us (one) of the songs of Sion. [viz. Of those songs, hymns or Psalms, which they were wont to sing and play in the Temple of God.]
4. (We said) [This is the answer of the people of Israel, to the desire of the Babylonians, shewing reasons why they refused to sing any of the LORDS songs there] how should we sing a song of the LORD, [i.e. such songs, which we were wont to sing to the honour of God, not to the pleasure and pastime of such as are strangers to the true worship of God] in a strange land? [viz. Among the enemies of the Church of God, which are wont to blaspheme the Name of God. Heb. In the land of a stranger, i.e. of the strangers, or exiles.]
5. If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, then let my right hand forget (her self.) [The sence is, we shall spare our singing and playing, till the time come, that Jerusalem be built again, and we return into our own Country, as O Lord, hast promised us; then shall we with cheerful hearts, voices and instruments sing, and play, and praise thee; others, If my right hand shall forget (thee) others, then let my right hand forget (her skill of playing).]
6. May my tongue [Wherewith I was wont to sing hymns and praises to my God] cleave to the roof of my mouth [i.e. let me be struck dumb, as Job 29:10. See also Psal.22.on v.16.] if I do not remember thee; if I exalt not Jerusalem above the highest of my rejoicing, [i.e. if I do not account and hold the welfare of Jerusalem, and of the Church of God, for my chiefest joy and rejoicing. For highest the Hebrew hath head, which is likewise used for to signify the highest or principally, Exod.30.23. See the Annot. There.]
7. LORD, remember the children of Edom, [viz. To punish them. The children of Edom, that is, the Edomites, were always enemies to the people of Israel, and they had joined themselves with Babylonians, when Jerusalem was destroyed, Ezech.25.12.] in the day of Jerusalem, [viz. The day of its destruction, Day, for day or time of misery or calamity, we see likewise used Psalms 37:13. Ezech.30.9. Hos.11.11. etc.] which said there, [viz. To the Babylonians] Uncover her, uncover her [the City namely, and the houses in it, breaking and raising all down to the ground; lay her as flat and bare as may be the Edomites, being enemies to the Israelites, were very glad to see Jerusalem laid waste thus, yea, and they did their utmost to help and further it to a total desolation. This is charged upon them, Obad.v.11.12, etc.] to her (very) foundations. [Heb. To the foundations. [Heb. To the foundation in her, i.e. so long as there is any foundation left in her.]
8. O daughter of Babel, [i.e. thou Babilonical Nation, as Psalms 9:15. Jeremiah 51:33. or ye inhabitants of Babylon. See the Annot. Cantic.2.on verse 2.] that shalt be wasted so assuredly, as if it were done already, God having decreed it, or wasted; that is, worthy, and having deserved to be wasted, as Psalms 18:4. I called upon the praised Lord, i.e. the LORD that is praise-worthy] Right happy shall he be that shall recompence thee thy misdeed [the meaning is, that every one shall wish good success to the destroyer of Babylon, and acknowledge it very thankfully, that he hath recompenced the Babylonians their grand deservings. See Isa.13. Jer.50. and 51. Chapter] which thou hast misdone on us. [or recompensed. The Hebrew word is taken for doing well, and for doing ill.]
9. Right happy shall he be, that shall grasp. [i.e. he that shall execute the severe judgements of God upon you, by reason of your abominable misdeeds. See Isa.13.16. and the Annot.Psalms 8:2.] and dash thy little children on the rock. [viz. In such a manner that the pieces shall be scattered about like chips.