1.
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
1. rivers of Babylon—the name
of the city used for the whole country.
remembered Zion—or,
Jerusalem, as in Psalms 132:13.
2.
We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.
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.
For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.
3, 4. Whether the request was in
curiosity or derision, the answer intimates that a compliance was
incongruous with their mournful feelings ().
4.
How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land?
5.
If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.
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.
6.
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.
7.
Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
7-9. Remember . . . the children of
Edom—(Compare Psalms 132:1),
that is, to punish.
the day of Jerusalem—its
downfall (Lamentations 4:21; Lamentations 4:22;
Obadiah 1:11-13).
8.
O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.
8. daughter of Babylon—the
people (Psalms 9:13). Their
destruction had been abundantly foretold (Isaiah 13:14;
Jeremiah 51:23). For the terribleness
of that destruction, God's righteous judgment, and not the passions
of the chafed Israelites, was responsible.
9.
Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.
7-9. Remember . . . the children of
Edom—(Compare Psalms 132:1),
that is, to punish.
the day of Jerusalem—its
downfall (Lamentations 4:21; Lamentations 4:22;
Obadiah 1:11-13).