137:1 Sat - The usual posture of mourners.

2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

137:2 Harps - Harps are here put for all instruments of musick.

3 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.

137:3 A song - Such songs as you used to sing in the temple of Zion.

4 How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land?

137:4 The Lord's - Those songs which were appointed by God to be sung only in his service.

5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.

6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

137:6 If - If I do not value Jerusalem's prosperity more than all other delights.

7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.

137:7 The day - In the time of its destruction.

8 O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.

137:8 Happy - As being God's instrument to vindicate his honour, and execute his just judgments.

9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.