◄ Psalm 137:6 ►
May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not exalt Jerusalem as my greatest joy!
Study Bible
May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth
This phrase is a self-imposed curse, reflecting the seriousness of the vow. In ancient Near Eastern culture, oaths and curses were common ways to express deep commitment or to invoke divine witness. The imagery of the tongue clinging to the roof of the mouth suggests an inability to speak, symbolizing the psalmist's desire to be rendered mute if they fail to remember Jerusalem. This reflects the importance of speech in worship and the proclamation of God's deeds, as seen in passages like Psalm 34:1, where continual praise is emphasized.

if I do not remember you
The act of remembering here is not merely cognitive but involves active commemoration and prioritization. In the biblical context, remembering often implies a call to action or faithfulness, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:18, where Israel is commanded to remember the Lord by keeping His commandments. The psalmist's vow underscores the centrality of Jerusalem in the spiritual life of the Israelites, serving as a reminder of God's promises and the covenant relationship.

if I do not exalt Jerusalem as my greatest joy!
Jerusalem holds a unique place in biblical theology as the city chosen by God, the site of the Temple, and the center of Jewish worship. The psalmist's commitment to exalt Jerusalem reflects its significance as a symbol of God's presence and the hope of restoration. This longing for Jerusalem is echoed in prophecies like Isaiah 2:2-3, which envision a future where all nations will stream to the city to learn God's ways. The phrase also foreshadows the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21, representing the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The emphasis on joy highlights the deep emotional and spiritual connection to Jerusalem, akin to the joy found in God's salvation (Psalm 51:12).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Babylon
The place of exile for the Israelites, representing a time of sorrow and longing for their homeland.

2. Jerusalem
The holy city, central to Jewish identity and worship, symbolizing spiritual and cultural heritage.

3. The Exile
The period when the Israelites were taken captive to Babylon, a significant event in Jewish history that led to deep reflection and longing for return.

4. The Psalmist
The author of the psalm, expressing deep emotional and spiritual longing for Jerusalem.

5. Zion
Another name for Jerusalem, often used to denote the spiritual and eternal city of God.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Remembrance
Remembering God's past works and promises is crucial for maintaining faith and hope during difficult times.

The Centrality of Jerusalem
For the Israelites, Jerusalem was not just a physical city but a symbol of God's presence and promises. In our lives, we should identify and cherish what represents God's presence to us.

The Power of Worship
Exalting God and His purposes should be our greatest joy, even amidst trials and exile-like experiences.

Guarding Our Speech
The psalmist's vow about his tongue highlights the importance of aligning our words with our faith and values.

Longing for Restoration
Just as the Israelites longed for Jerusalem, we should cultivate a longing for spiritual renewal and the fulfillment of God's promises.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the historical context of the Babylonian exile enhance our understanding of the psalmist's longing for Jerusalem?

2. In what ways can we "remember" and "exalt" our spiritual heritage in our daily lives?

3. How does the concept of Jerusalem as a symbol of God's presence apply to the modern Christian experience?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure that our speech reflects our commitment to God, as seen in the psalmist's vow?

5. How can the hope of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21 inspire us to live faithfully in our current circumstances?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Lamentations 1
This chapter describes the desolation of Jerusalem, echoing the sorrow and longing expressed in Psalm 137.

Nehemiah 1
Nehemiah's prayer and mourning for Jerusalem reflect the same deep connection and desire for the city's restoration.

Isaiah 62
This passage speaks of the future glory of Jerusalem, providing hope and a vision for the city's exaltation.

Revelation 21
The New Jerusalem is depicted as the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise, connecting the longing for Jerusalem to the hope of eternal restoration.
Sermons
By the Rivers of Babylon, EtcC. Short Psalm 137:1-6
Fruits of Exile from GodS. Conway Psalm 137:1-9
Injurious RetrospectionW. E. Barnes, D. D.Psalm 137:1-9
The Patriot's PsalmA. Whyte, D. D.Psalm 137:1-9
The Tears of Memory and the Cry for VengeanceHomilistPsalm 137:1-9
How to Preserve and Increase PatriotismHomiletic ReviewPsalm 137:5-6
PatriotismJ. Beaumont, M. D.Psalm 137:5-6
Recollection and Preference of the Church of ChristP. J. Wright.Psalm 137:5-6
Religious AttachmentsJ. Parker, D. D.Psalm 137:5-6
Religious Public-SpiritednessD. Young, D. D.Psalm 137:5-6
Sanctified PatriotismR. Tuck Psalm 137:5, 6
People
David, Edomites, Psalmist
Places
Babylon
Topics
Chief, Chiefest, Cleave, Cling, Consider, Exalt, Fixed, Greatest, Highest, Jerusalem, Joy, Mouth, Palate, Prefer, Remember, Roof, Stick, Thoughts, Tongue
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 137:6

     5193   tongue
     5781   affection

Psalm 137:1-6

     5339   home

Psalm 137:1-9

     4215   Babylon
     5945   self-pity

Psalm 137:5-6

     8300   love, and the world

Library
Letter xxii (Circa A. D. 1129) to Simon, Abbot of S. Nicholas
To Simon, Abbot of S. Nicholas Bernard consoles him under the persecution of which he is the object. The most pious endeavours do not always have the desired success. What line of conduct ought to be followed towards his inferiors by a prelate who is desirous of stricter discipline. 1. I have learned with much pain by your letter the persecution that you are enduring for the sake of righteousness, and although the consolation given you by Christ in the promise of His kingdom may suffice amply for …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

The Captivity.
"Is this the city that men call the perfection of beauty, the joy of the whole earth?"--Larn. ii. 15. Manasseh's son, Amon, undid all the reformation of his latter years, and brought back idolatry; and indeed, the whole Jewish people had become so corrupt, that even when Amon was murdered in 642, after only reigning two years, and better days came back with the good Josiah, it was with almost all of them only a change of the outside, and not of the heart. Josiah was but eight years old when he …
Charlotte Mary Yonge—The Chosen People

Third Sunday after Easter
Text: First Peter 2, 11-20. 11 Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether to the king, as supreme; 14 or unto governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Thou Shalt not Commit Adultery.
In this Commandment too a good work is commanded, which includes much and drives away much vice; it is called purity, or chastity, of which much is written and preached, and it is well known to every one, only that it is not as carefully observed and practised as other works which are not commanded. So ready are we to do what is not commanded and to leave undone what is commanded. We see that the world is full of shameful works of unchastity, indecent words, tales and ditties, temptation to which …
Dr. Martin Luther—A Treatise on Good Works

In Judaea
If Galilee could boast of the beauty of its scenery and the fruitfulness of its soil; of being the mart of a busy life, and the highway of intercourse with the great world outside Palestine, Judaea would neither covet nor envy such advantages. Hers was quite another and a peculiar claim. Galilee might be the outer court, but Judaea was like the inner sanctuary of Israel. True, its landscapes were comparatively barren, its hills bare and rocky, its wilderness lonely; but around those grey limestone …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Concerning the Sacrament of Penance
In this third part I shall speak of the sacrament of penance. By the tracts and disputations which I have published on this subject I have given offence to very many, and have amply expressed my own opinions. I must now briefly repeat these statements, in order to unveil the tyranny which attacks us on this point as unsparingly as in the sacrament of the bread. In these two sacraments gain and lucre find a place, and therefore the avarice of the shepherds has raged to an incredible extent against …
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

The Iranian Conquest
Drawn by Boudier, from the engraving in Coste and Flandin. The vignette, drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a statuette in terra-cotta, found in Southern Russia, represents a young Scythian. The Iranian religions--Cyrus in Lydia and at Babylon: Cambyses in Egypt --Darius and the organisation of the empire. The Median empire is the least known of all those which held sway for a time over the destinies of a portion of Western Asia. The reason of this is not to be ascribed to the shortness of its duration: …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9

The History of the Psalter
[Sidenote: Nature of the Psalter] Corresponding to the book of Proverbs, itself a select library containing Israel's best gnomic literature, is the Psalter, the compendium of the nation's lyrical songs and hymns and prayers. It is the record of the soul experiences of the race. Its language is that of the heart, and its thoughts of common interest to worshipful humanity. It reflects almost every phase of religious feeling: penitence, doubt, remorse, confession, fear, faith, hope, adoration, and …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

Letters of St. Bernard
I To Malachy. 1141.[924] (Epistle 341.) To the venerable lord and most blessed father, Malachy, by the grace of God archbishop of the Irish, legate of the Apostolic See, Brother Bernard called to be abbot of Clairvaux, [desiring] to find grace with the Lord. 1. Amid the manifold anxieties and cares of my heart,[925] by the multitude of which my soul is sore vexed,[926] the brothers coming from a far country[927] that they may serve the Lord,[928] thy letter, and thy staff, they comfort …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

Questions.
LESSON I. 1. In what state was the Earth when first created? 2. To what trial was man subjected? 3. What punishment did the Fall bring on man? 4. How alone could his guilt be atoned for? A. By his punishment being borne by one who was innocent. 5. What was the first promise that there should be such an atonement?--Gen. iii. 15. 6. What were the sacrifices to foreshow? 7. Why was Abel's offering the more acceptable? 8. From which son of Adam was the Seed of the woman to spring? 9. How did Seth's …
Charlotte Mary Yonge—The Chosen People

Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple …
St. Hilary of Poitiers—The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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