New International VersionMay my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy.
New Living TranslationMay my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I fail to remember you, if I don’t make Jerusalem my greatest joy.
English Standard VersionLet my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy!
Berean Standard BibleMay 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!
King James BibleIf I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
New King James VersionIf I do not remember you, Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth— If I do not exalt Jerusalem Above my chief joy.
New American Standard BibleMay my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth If I do not remember you, If I do not exalt Jerusalem Above my chief joy.
NASB 1995May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth If I do not remember you, If I do not exalt Jerusalem Above my chief joy.
NASB 1977May my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, If I do not remember you, If I do not exalt Jerusalem Above my chief joy.
Legacy Standard BibleMay my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth If I do not remember you, If I do not exalt Jerusalem Above my chief joy.
Amplified BibleLet my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth If I do not remember you, If I do not prefer Jerusalem Above my chief joy.
Christian Standard BibleMay my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not exalt Jerusalem as my greatest joy!
Holman Christian Standard BibleMay my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not exalt Jerusalem as my greatest joy!
American Standard VersionLet my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, If I remember thee not; If I prefer not Jerusalem Above my chief joy.
Contemporary English VersionLet my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I don't think about you above all else.
English Revised VersionLet my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I remember thee not; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationLet my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don't remember you, if I don't consider Jerusalem my highest joy.
Good News TranslationMay I never be able to sing again if I do not remember you, if I do not think of you as my greatest joy!
International Standard VersionMay my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don't remember you, if I don't consider Jerusalem to be more important than my highest joy.
NET BibleMay my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, and do not give Jerusalem priority over whatever gives me the most joy.
New Heart English BibleLet my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you; if I do not prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy.
Webster's Bible TranslationIf I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleMay 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!
World English BibleLet my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I don’t remember you, if I don’t prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionMy tongue cleaves to my palate, "" If I do not remember you, "" If I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.
Young's Literal Translation My tongue doth cleave to my palate, If I do not remember thee, If I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.
Smith's Literal TranslationMy tongue shall cleave to in palate, if I remember thee not; if I bring not up Jerusalem upon the head of my joy. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleLet my tongue cleave to my jaws, if I do not remember thee: If I make not Jerusalem the beginning of my joy.
Catholic Public Domain VersionMay my tongue adhere to my jaws, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem first, as the beginning of my joy.
New American Bible
May my tongue stick to my palate if I do not remember you, If I do not exalt Jerusalem beyond all my delights.
New Revised Standard Version
Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy.Translations from Aramaic Lamsa Bible
If I do not remember you, let my tongue cleave to my palate, if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And let my tongue cleave to the roof of my palate, unless I remember you, unless I shall go up to Jerusalem, my chief joy!OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917
Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, If I remember thee not; If I set not Jerusalem Above my chiefest joy.
Brenton Septuagint Translation
May my tongue cleave to my throat, if I do not remember thee; if I do not prefer Jerusalem as the chief of my joy.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context By the Rivers of Babylon… 5If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand cease to function. 6May my tongueclingto the roof of my mouthifI do notremember you,ifI do notexaltJerusalemasmy greatestjoy!7Remember, O LORD, the sons of Edom on the day Jerusalem fell: “Destroy it,” they said, “tear it down to its foundations!”…
Cross References Nehemiah 1:4-11When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. / Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments, / let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned. ...
Isaiah 62:6-7On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD shall take no rest for yourselves, / nor give Him any rest until He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.
Jeremiah 51:50You who have escaped the sword, depart and do not linger! Remember the LORD from far away, and let Jerusalem come to mind.”
Lamentations 5:1-22Remember, O LORD, what has happened to us. Look and see our disgrace! / Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our houses to foreigners. / We have become fatherless orphans; our mothers are widows. ...
Ezekiel 3:17“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me.
2 Chronicles 6:6But now I have chosen Jerusalem for My Name to be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’
1 Kings 11:36I will give one tribe to his son, so that My servant David will always have a lamp before Me in Jerusalem, the city where I chose to put My Name.
Zechariah 8:3This is what the LORD says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD of Hosts will be called the Holy Mountain.”
Isaiah 49:14-16But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; the Lord has forgotten me!” / “Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you! / Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me.
Psalm 122:6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you prosper.
Psalm 102:13-14You will rise up and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show her favor—the appointed time has come. / For Your servants delight in her stones and take pity on her dust.
Matthew 23:37O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!
Luke 19:41-44As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it / and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. / For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. ...
John 4:20-24Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place where one must worship is in Jerusalem.” / “Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. / You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. ...
Acts 1:8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Treasury of Scripture If I do not remember you, let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. let my tongue Psalm 22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. Isaiah 41:17When the poor and needy seek water, andthere is none,and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them,I the God of Israel will not forsake them. Lamentations 4:4 The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread,and no man breakethit unto them. if I prefer Psalm 84:10 For a day in thy courtsis better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. my chief joy. Jump to Previous ChiefChiefestCleaveClingConsiderExaltFixedGreatestHighestJerusalemJoyMouthPreferRememberRoofStickThoughtsTongueJump to Next ChiefChiefestCleaveClingConsiderExaltFixedGreatestHighestJerusalemJoyMouthPreferRememberRoofStickThoughtsTonguePsalm 137 1.The constancy of the Jews in captivity7.The prophet curses Edom and BabelMay my tongue cling to the roof of my mouthThis 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 inDeuteronomy 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 likeIsaiah 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 inRevelation 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. BabylonThe place of exile for the Israelites, representing a time of sorrow and longing for their homeland. 2. JerusalemThe holy city, central to Jewish identity and worship, symbolizing spiritual and cultural heritage. 3. The ExileThe 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 PsalmistThe author of the psalm, expressing deep emotional and spiritual longing for Jerusalem. 5. ZionAnother name for Jerusalem, often used to denote the spiritual and eternal city of God. Teaching Points The Importance of RemembranceRemembering God's past works and promises is crucial for maintaining faith and hope during difficult times. The Centrality of JerusalemFor 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 WorshipExalting God and His purposes should be our greatest joy, even amidst trials and exile-like experiences. Guarding Our SpeechThe psalmist's vow about his tongue highlights the importance of aligning our words with our faith and values. Longing for RestorationJust as the Israelites longed for Jerusalem, we should cultivate a longing for spiritual renewal and the fulfillment of God's promises. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 137
What historical or archeological evidence supports the specific events described in Psalm 137, if any?
Psalm 122:6: How do centuries of turmoil and conflict align with the instruction to 'pray for the peace of Jerusalem'?
In Psalm 28:2, which references the 'most holy sanctuary,' how do we reconcile questions about the historicity or exact timeline of the temple's existence?
Is God aware of future events?Verse 6. - If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth. Let me be deprived of the power of song. What was wished in the preceding verso with respect to the power of instrumental performance is here wished with respect to the vocal organs. If I prefer not Jerusalemabove my chief joy. This seems to be the true sense, and is equivalent to "If I prefer not Jerusalem above aught else."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew May my tongueלְשׁוֹנִ֨י ׀(lə·šō·w·nî)Noun - common singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3956:The tongueclingתִּדְבַּ֥ק־(tiḏ·baq-)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1692:To impinge, cling, adhere, to catch by pursuitto the roof of my mouthלְחִכִּי֮(lə·ḥik·kî)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2441:Palate, roof of the mouth, gumsifאִם־(’im-)Conjunction
Strong's 518:Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, notI do notלֹ֪א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noremember you,אֶ֫זְכְּרֵ֥כִי(’ez·kə·rê·ḵî)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | second person feminine singular
Strong's 2142:To mark, to remember, to mention, to be maleifאִם־(’im-)Conjunction
Strong's 518:Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, notI do notלֹ֣א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noexaltאַ֭עֲלֶה(’a·‘ă·leh)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5927:To ascend, in, activelyJerusalemיְרוּשָׁלִַ֑ם(yə·rū·šā·lim)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389:Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israelasעַ֝֗ל(‘al)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstmy greatestרֹ֣אשׁ(rōš)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7218:The headjoy!שִׂמְחָתִֽי׃(śim·ḥā·ṯî)Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 8057:Blithesomeness, glee
Links Psalm 137:6 NIVPsalm 137:6 NLTPsalm 137:6 ESVPsalm 137:6 NASBPsalm 137:6 KJV
Psalm 137:6 BibleApps.comPsalm 137:6 Biblia ParalelaPsalm 137:6 Chinese BiblePsalm 137:6 French BiblePsalm 137:6 Catholic Bible
OT Poetry: Psalm 137:6 Let my tongue stick to the roof (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
