Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 137
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 137
Matthew Henry Commentary
Psalms 137
"By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down, yea, we wept, When we remembered Zion. Upon the willows in the midst thereof We hanged up our harps. For there they that led us captive required of us songs, And they that wasted us [required of us] mirth, [saying], Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How shall we sing Jehovah`s song In a foreign land?" — Psalms 137:1-4 (ASV)
Their enemies had carried the Jews captive from their own land. To complete their woes, they mocked them; they demanded from them mirth and a song. This was very barbaric; also profane, for no songs would do except the songs of Zion. Scoffers are not to be complied with. They do not say, "How can we sing when we are in such great sorrow?" but rather, "It is the Lord's song; therefore, we dare not sing it among idolaters."
"If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget [her skill]. Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, If I remember thee not; If I prefer not Jerusalem Above my chief joy. Remember, O Jehovah, against the children of Edom The day of Jerusalem; Who said, Rase it, rase it, Even to the foundation thereof. O daughter of Babylon, that art to be destroyed, Happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee As thou hast served us. Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones Against the rock. " — Psalms 137:5-9 (ASV)
What we love, we love to think of. Those who rejoice in God, for His sake make Jerusalem their joy. They steadfastly resolved to keep up this affection.
When suffering, we should recollect with godly sorrow our forfeited mercies, and our sins by which we lost them. If temporal advantages ever induce a profession, the worst calamity has befallen him.
Far be it from us to avenge ourselves; we will leave it to Him who has said, Vengeance is mine. Those who are glad at calamities, especially at the calamities of Jerusalem, shall not go unpunished.
We cannot pray for the promised success of God's church without also anticipating the ruin of her enemies, even if we do not explicitly pray for that ruin. But let us remember that it is solely by His grace and finished salvation that we have any hope of being brought home to the heavenly Jerusalem.
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