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If I forget you, Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget its skill.
Verse Takeaways
1
An Unbreakable Vow
The psalmist makes a solemn oath, a self-curse, to demonstrate his unwavering loyalty to Jerusalem. Commentators explain that if he were to forget God's city, he asks for his right hand—the one used to play the harp—to lose its skill. This dramatic vow shows that his identity and allegiance are completely tied to God's people, even in exile.
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Psalms
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6
18th Century
Presbyterian
If I forget thee, O Jerusalem - The meaning here is that to sing in such circumstances would seem to imply that they had forgotten …
19th Century
Anglican
Her cunning — i.e., the skill of playing on the harp. If at such a moment the poet can so far forget the miserable bondag…
Baptist
"No," they said, "if we were to make mirth for the Babylonians, we would be doing serious damage to Zion, and we would be traitors to Jerusalem"; s…
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16th Century
Protestant
If I shall forget thee, O Jerusalem! This confirms what was said in the previous verse and leaves us in no difficulty to understand what t…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
If I forget thee, O Jerusalem This was said by one or everyone of the Levites; or singers, as Aben Ezra and Kimchi; or by…
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 affec…
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