Psalm 137:3 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 137:1-6

We have here the daughter of Zion covered with a cloud, and dwelling with the daughter of Babylon; the people of God in tears, but sowing in tears. Observe, I. The mournful posture they were in as to their affairs and as to their spirits. 1. They were posted by the rivers of Babylon, in a strange land, a great way from their own country, whence they were brought as prisoners of war. The land of Babylon was now a house of bondage to that people, as Egypt had been in their beginning. Their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 137:3

For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song ,.... Or, "words of a song" F26 דברי שיר "verba cantici", Pagninus, Montanus, Musculus, Piscator, Gejerus, Michaelis; "verba earminis", Cocceius. . To repeat the words of one of the songs of Zion, as it is afterwards expressed: this the Babylonians did, as the Targum; who were they that carried the Jews into captivity; and this is given as a reason why they hung their harps on willows, and were so sorrowful, because... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 137:3

They that carried us away captive required of us a song - This was as unreasonable as it was insulting. How could they who had reduced us to slavery, and dragged us in chains from our own beautiful land and privileges, expect us to sing a sacred ode to please them, who were enemies both to us and to our God? And how could those who wasted us expect mirth from people in captivity, deprived of all their possessions, and in the most abject state of poverty and oppression? read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 137:3

Verse 3 3.Then they that carried us away captive, etc. We may be certain that the Israelites were treated with cruel severity under this barbarous tyranny to which they were subjected. And the worst affliction of all was, that their conquerors reproachfully insulted them, and even mocked them, their design being less to wound the hearts of these miserable exiles, than to cast blasphemies upon their God. The Babylonians had no desire to hear their sacred songs, and very likely would not have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 137:1-6

By 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 despondent sorrow . They hung their harps on the willows, and sat down and wept. 2. Blights the exercise of the highest gifts . They could not sing the joyful songs of Zion—the songs of the Lord. An enslaved people lose the power, as a rule, which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 137:1-9

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 137:1-9

Incongruity 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 liberty. We would not, on any account, forego so great an advantage, so valuable a privilege. But how much suffering that blessing may entail! Who can measure the intensity of the humiliation and distress which the children of Israel endured when they... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 137:1-9

Fruits 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 sadder exile from God which many a soul has known. I. THE MEMORY OF WHAT HAS BEEN LOST IS FULL OF SORROW . ( Psalms 137:1 .) "Yea, we sat down and wept." And if, as with God's ancient people, we through sin are banished from God, then, when we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 137:3

For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song ; literally, words of song . The oppressors break into the retired gathering of their captives, and "require of them a song"—demand roughly and rudely to be entertained with the foreign music, which is perhaps sweeter than their own, or at any rate more of a novelty. And they that wasted us required us mirth . Not only was "a song" wanted but a joyous song - one that would wake feelings of mirth and gladness in those who... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 137:3

A reasonable call for songs. We fix attention on the fact that the people of Babylon expected the religion of Jehovah to be a joyous religion. They may have asked for a song partly as a taunt, but below the taunt must have been the association of the Jehovah-religion with harp and song. And men were right in this. The religion of Jehovah, and of Jehovah-Jesus, ought to make hearts glad: we should "sing on our heavenward way." Dr. Barry thinks the call for a song may have meant "an... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 137:1-6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 137:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 137:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 137:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 137:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 137:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 137:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 137:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 137:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 137:3

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