시편 137:3-4 KRV

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 137:4

(4) Strange land.—The feeling expressed in this question is too natural to need any such explanation as that it was contrary to the Law to sing a sacred song in a strange land. Nehemiah’s answer (Nehemiah 2:2-3) offers a direct illustration.Of Jerusalem’s choir in Babylon it might truly be said:“Like strangers’ voices here they sound,In lands where not a memory strays.Nor landmark breathes of other days,But all is new unhallowed ground.”TENNYSON: In Mcmoriam. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Psalms 137:1-9

Psalms 137:1 There are many causes which may well bring the Psalmist's sad words to our lips, 'By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept when we remembered Thee, O Zion'. I. The present condition of the Christian Church is a spectacle which must arouse sad thoughts as we contrast what is with what was. Is there any greater obstacle to the triumph of Christianity at the present day than the miserable fact that Christians are not agreed among themselves as to what Christianity means? As we... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 137:1-9

Psalms 137:1-9THE captivity is past, as the tenses in Psalms 137:1-3 show, and as is manifest from the very fact that its miseries have become themes for a psalm. Grief must be somewhat removed before it can be sung. But the strains of triumph heard in other psalms are wanting in this, which breathes passionate love for Jerusalem, tinged with sadness still. The date of the psalm is apparently the early days of the Return, when true-hearted patriots still felt the smart of recent bondage and... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Psalms 137:1-9

Psalms 137:0 Remembering the Exile This Psalm is in remembrance of the Babylonian captivity written by an unknown person. Some have named Jeremiah, but he was not in Babylon. The Psalm expresseth the never dying love for Zion in the heart of Israel. The same love is alive today after an exile of almost two thousand years. “If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its cunning. Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I remember thee not; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 137:3

137:3 For there they that carried us away captive {c} required of us a song; and they that wasted us [required of us] mirth, [saying], Sing us [one] of the songs of Zion.(c) The Babylonians speak thus in mocking us, as though by our silence we should signify that we hoped no more in God. read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Psalms 137:1-9

Psalms 135:0 Praises God for choosing Jacob (Psalms 135:1-4 ), extols His power in the natural world (Psalms 135:5-7 ), and in the deliverance of His people from Egypt (Psalms 135:8-9 ) and bringing them into the promised land (Psalms 135:10-12 ). All this is in contrast to the vanity of idols (Psalms 135:13-18 ). Psalms 136:0 Is of the same character as the preceding, but is notable for the chorus attached to each verse a chorus with which we have become familiar in other psalms (Psalms 106:1... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Psalms 137:3-4

God's people are still subject to insult; but it is impossible to feel warmth at all times in the Lord's service where scoffers are. Sometimes, indeed, a holy indignation, and a zeal for Jesus, give freedom and liberty to the soul; but a cold frigid atmosphere of hearers, will make a minister's spirit cold also. read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Psalms 137:4

Mouth. All kingdoms shall sooner or later, become acquainted with the gospel. (Worthington) --- The predictions of Jeremias, &c., had been communicated to the neighbouring princes, (Calmet) and all might know that God had executed his threats and promises. (Haydock) --- Yet none of them embraced the true religion, even after the captivity, so that this relates to Christ. (Berthier) read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 137:1-4

1-4 Their enemies had carried the Jews captive from their own land. To complete their woes, they insulted over them; they required of them mirth and a song. This was very barbarous; also profane, for no songs would serve but the songs of Zion. Scoffers are not to be compiled with. They do not say, How shall we sing, when we are so much in sorrow? but, It is the Lord's song, therefore we dare not sing it among idolaters. read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Psalms 137:1-9

Song of Grief of the Captive Jews. The unknown poet here records the deep grief and mourning of the Jews during the Babylonian captivity and includes a prayer for the destruction of their enemies, since their enmity was a challenge to the God of Israel. v. 1. By the rivers of Babylon, along the banks of which many of the Jews had settled for the period of the captivity, there we sat down, their deep grief having driven them away into the solitude of the country, yea, we wept when we... read more