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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 137:5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand cease to function.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/137-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/19_Psa_137_005.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 137:5 - By the Rivers of Babylon" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand cease to function." /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/137-4.htm" title="Psalm 137:4">◄</a> Psalm 137:5 <a href="/psalms/137-6.htm" title="Psalm 137:6">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/137.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/137.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/137.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget how to play the harp.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/137.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/137.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand cease to function.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/137.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget <i>her cunning</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/137.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />If I forget you, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget <i>its skill!</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/137.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I forget you, Jerusalem, May my right hand forget <i>its skill.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/137.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />If I forget you, O Jerusalem, May my right hand forget her skill.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/137.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />If I forget you, O Jerusalem, May my right hand forget <i>her skill</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/137.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />If I forget you, O Jerusalem, May my right hand forget <i>her skill</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/137.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />If I forget you, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget [her skill with the harp].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/137.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/137.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/137.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget her skill.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/137.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Jerusalem, if I forget you, let my right hand go limp. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/137.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/137.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget [how to play the lyre].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/137.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />May I never be able to play the harp again if I forget you, Jerusalem! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/137.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand cease to function. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/137.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand cease to function.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/137.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand be crippled! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/137.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/137.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her skill.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/137.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/137.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />If I forget you, O Jerusalem, my right hand forgets!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/137.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, my right hand forgetteth!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/137.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, my right hand shall be forgotten.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/137.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/137.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 136:5>If I ever forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/137.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/137.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/137.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/137.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />If I forget you, oh, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget me!<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/137.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget her cunning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/137.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget <i>its skill</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/137-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=17096" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/137.htm">By the Rivers of Babylon</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>How can we sing a song of the LORD in a foreign land? <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">If</a> <a href="/hebrew/7911.htm" title="7911: ’eš·kā·ḥêḵ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs:: 2fs) -- To forget. Or shakeach; a primitive root; to mislay, i.e. To be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention.">I forget you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3389.htm" title="3389: yə·rū·šā·lim (N-proper-fs) -- Probably foundation of peace, capital city of all Isr. ">O Jerusalem,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3225.htm" title="3225: yə·mî·nî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Right hand. From yaman; the right hand or side of a person or other object; locally, the south.">may my right hand</a> <a href="/hebrew/7911.htm" title="7911: tiš·kaḥ (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs) -- To forget. Or shakeach; a primitive root; to mislay, i.e. To be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention.">cease to function.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>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!…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/49-15.htm">Isaiah 49:15-16</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/1-8.htm">Nehemiah 1:8-9</a></span><br />Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses when You said, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, / but if you return to Me and keep and practice My commandments, then even if your exiles have been banished to the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for My Name.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-50.htm">Jeremiah 51:50</a></span><br />You who have escaped the sword, depart and do not linger! Remember the LORD from far away, and let Jerusalem come to mind.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/5-1.htm">Lamentations 5:1</a></span><br />Remember, O LORD, what has happened to us. Look and see our disgrace!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/3-17.htm">Ezekiel 3:17</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/6-6.htm">2 Chronicles 6:6</a></span><br />But now I have chosen Jerusalem for My Name to be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/2-12.htm">Zechariah 2:12</a></span><br />And the LORD will take possession of Judah as His portion in the Holy Land, and He will once again choose Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/11-36.htm">1 Kings 11:36</a></span><br />I 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/5-7.htm">2 Samuel 5:7</a></span><br />Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/62-6.htm">Isaiah 62:6-7</a></span><br />On 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37</a></span><br />O 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!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-41.htm">Luke 19:41-44</a></span><br />As 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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-20.htm">John 4:20-24</a></span><br />Our 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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-1.htm">Romans 9:1-5</a></span><br />I speak the truth in Christ; I am not lying, as confirmed by my conscience in the Holy Spirit. / I have deep sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. / For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my own flesh and blood, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-22.htm">Hebrews 12:22</a></span><br />Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.</p><p class="hdg">I forget</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/84-1.htm">Psalm 84:1,2,10</a></b></br> To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. How amiable <i>are</i> thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/102-13.htm">Psalm 102:13,14</a></b></br> Thou shalt arise, <i>and</i> have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/122-5.htm">Psalm 122:5-9</a></b></br> For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David… </p><p class="hdg">let my right</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/zechariah/11-17.htm">Zechariah 11:17</a></b></br> Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword <i>shall be</i> upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/119-118.htm">Cunning</a> <a href="/psalms/119-176.htm">Forget</a> <a href="/psalms/9-12.htm">Forgetteth</a> <a href="/psalms/136-12.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/psalms/135-21.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/psalms/137-1.htm">Memory</a> <a href="/psalms/121-5.htm">Right</a> <a href="/psalms/136-5.htm">Skill</a> <a href="/psalms/102-11.htm">Wither</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/7-10.htm">Cunning</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-1.htm">Forget</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-17.htm">Forgetteth</a> <a href="/psalms/138-7.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/psalms/137-6.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/psalms/145-7.htm">Memory</a> <a href="/psalms/138-7.htm">Right</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-5.htm">Skill</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-28.htm">Wither</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 137</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/137-1.htm">The constancy of the Jews in captivity</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/137-7.htm">The prophet curses Edom and Babel</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/137.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/137.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>If I forget you, O Jerusalem</b><br>This phrase reflects the deep emotional and spiritual connection the Israelites had with Jerusalem, the city chosen by God as the center of worship and the location of the Temple. Jerusalem is not just a physical city but a symbol of God's presence and promises to His people. The psalmist's vow underscores the importance of remembering God's covenant and the centrality of Jerusalem in Jewish identity and faith. This longing for Jerusalem is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/psalms/122-6.htm">Psalm 122:6</a>, which calls for prayers for the peace of Jerusalem. The city also holds eschatological significance, as seen in prophecies like <a href="/isaiah/2-2.htm">Isaiah 2:2-3</a>, where Jerusalem is depicted as a place of future divine teaching and peace.<p><b>may my right hand cease to function</b><br>The right hand is often symbolic of strength, skill, and action in biblical literature. By invoking the right hand, the psalmist emphasizes the severity of forgetting Jerusalem, equating it with losing one's ability to perform essential tasks. This reflects the cultural context where the right hand was considered the primary hand for work and warfare, as seen in passages like <a href="/exodus/15-6.htm">Exodus 15:6</a>, which speaks of God's right hand as a symbol of power. The psalmist's curse upon his own hand if he forgets Jerusalem highlights the depth of commitment to the city and its spiritual significance. This self-imposed curse also serves as a reminder of the consequences of neglecting one's spiritual heritage and duties.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The central city of Jewish worship and identity, representing the heart of the Israelites' spiritual and national life. It is the city where the Temple stood, symbolizing God's presence among His people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonian_exile.htm">Babylonian Exile</a></b><br>The historical context of <a href="/bsb/psalms/137.htm">Psalm 137</a>, where the Israelites were taken captive by the Babylonians. This period was marked by longing and lament for their homeland and the Temple.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_psalmist.htm">The Psalmist</a></b><br>Likely a Levite or a member of the Jewish community in exile, expressing deep sorrow and a vow of remembrance for Jerusalem.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_remembrance.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Remembrance</a></b><br>Just as the psalmist vows never to forget Jerusalem, Christians are called to remember their spiritual heritage and the centrality of Christ in their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_worship_in_exile.htm">The Role of Worship in Exile</a></b><br>Even in times of spiritual exile or hardship, maintaining a focus on worship and God's promises is crucial.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/commitment_to_god's_promises.htm">Commitment to God's Promises</a></b><br>The psalmist's vow reflects a deep commitment to God's promises and His chosen city, encouraging believers to hold fast to God's Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_lament.htm">The Power of Lament</a></b><br>Lament is a valid and powerful form of prayer that can lead to deeper trust and reliance on God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_significance_of_jerusalem_in_biblical_theology.htm">The Significance of Jerusalem in Biblical Theology</a></b><br>Understanding Jerusalem's role in biblical history helps believers appreciate its symbolic representation of God's eternal kingdom.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_137.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 137</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_events_in_psalm_137.htm">What historical or archeological evidence supports the specific events described in Psalm 137, if any? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/was_psalm_31_5_altered_for_luke_23_46.htm">In Psalm 31:5, 'Into your hand I commit my spirit' also appears in Luke 23:46--was this psalm later retrofitted to validate New Testament claims?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_144_1_align_with_peace.htm">How can Psalm 144:1's portrayal of God training hands for war be reconciled with other biblical teachings on peace (e.g., Matthew 5:9)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_psalm_137_align_with_divine_justice.htm">How does Psalm 137 align with divine justice, given that it appears to advocate collective punishment?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/137.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) <span class= "bld">Her cunning</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>the skill of playing on the harp. If at such a moment the poet can so far forget the miserable bondage of Jerusalem as to strike the strings in joy, may his hand for ever lose the skill to touch them.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/137.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning</span>; literally, <span class="accented">let my right hand forget</span>; but the words supplied in the Authorized Version are necessary to bring out the sense, which is, "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, so far as to desecrate thy sacred songs by making them an entertainment for the heathen, may I never have power to strike a note again!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/137-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">If</span><br /><span class="heb">אִֽם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I forget you,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶשְׁכָּחֵ֥ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(’eš·kā·ḥêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7911.htm">Strong's 7911: </a> </span><span class="str2">To mislay, to be oblivious of, from want of memory, attention</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O Jerusalem,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְֽרוּשָׁלִָ֗ם</span> <span class="translit">(yə·rū·šā·lim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3389.htm">Strong's 3389: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">may my right hand</span><br /><span class="heb">יְמִינִֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(yə·mî·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3225.htm">Strong's 3225: </a> </span><span class="str2">The right hand, side, the south</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cease to function.</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּשְׁכַּ֥ח</span> <span class="translit">(tiš·kaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7911.htm">Strong's 7911: </a> </span><span class="str2">To mislay, to be oblivious of, from want of memory, attention</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/137-5.htm">Psalm 137:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/137-5.htm">Psalm 137:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/137-5.htm">Psalm 137:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/137-5.htm">Psalm 137:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/137-5.htm">Psalm 137:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/137-5.htm">Psalm 137:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/137-5.htm">Psalm 137:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/137-5.htm">Psalm 137:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/137-5.htm">Psalm 137:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/137-5.htm">Psalm 137:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/137-5.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 137:5 If I forget you Jerusalem let my (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/137-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 137:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 137:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/137-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 137:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 137:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>