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The Penman of this Psalm is uncertain: the occasion of it was unquestionably the consideration of the Babylonish Capti∣vity: and it seems to have been composed either during the time of that Captivity, or presently after their delive∣rance out of it.
1 BY the rivers of Babylon a 1.1, there we sat down b 1.2, yea, we wept when we remem∣bred Zion c 1.3.
2 We hanged our harps d 1.4 upon the willows e 1.5, in the midst thereof.
3 For there they that carried us away captive, required of us † 1.6 a song; and they that † 1.7 * 1.8 wa∣sted us, required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion f 1.9.
4 How shall we sing the LORD's song g 1.10 in a † 1.11 strange land h 1.12?
5 If I forget thee i 1.13, O Jerusalem, let my right hand k 1.14 forget her cunning l 1.15.
6 If I do not remember thee m 1.16, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth n 1.17▪ if I prefer not Jerusalem above † 1.18 my chief joy o 1.19.
7 Remember, O LORD, p 1.20 * 1.21 the children of Edom q 1.22, in the day r 1.23 of Jerusalem; who said s 1.24, † 1.25 Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
8 O daughter of Babylon t 1.26, who art to be † 1.27 destroyed u 1.28. happy shall he be x 1.29 ‖ 1.30 that * 1.31 re∣wardeth thee, as thou hast served us y 1.32.
9 Happy shall he be that taketh and * 1.33 dasheth thy little ones against † 1.34 the stones z 1.35.
Either, 1. of the City of Babylon, and then the river is Euphrates here called rivers for its greatness, and by a com∣mon Enallage of the Plural for the Singular, as Tigris also is, Nah. 2. 6. yea and Iordan, Psal. 74. 15. Or, 2. of the Territory of Babylon, in which there were many rivers, as Euphrates, which also was divided into several streams or ri∣vule•…•…s, and Tigris and others. Here they were either by the appointment of their Lords for the making or repairing of the works beside the river: or by choice, retiring themselves thither from the noise and observation of their enemies, as they had opportunity, that they might disburden their op∣pressed minds before the Lord.
The usual posture of mourners, Ezra 9. 4, &c. Iob 2. 12. Isa. 47. 1, 5.
Ei∣ther, 1. our former enjoyments in Zion, which greatly ag∣gravated their present misery, Lam. 1. 7. Or, 2. Zions pre∣sent desolations and pollutions.
These are not without great probability supposed to be the words of some holy Levites, who had been accustomed to musick, both vocal and instrumental, in the service of the Temple. Harps are here put by a Synecdoche for all instru∣ments of musick. It is further to be observed, That although the harp was used by the Grecians in mourning, yet it was used by the Hebrews in re•…•…oycing, as is manifest from Gen. 31. 27. 2 Chron. 20. 27, 28. Psal. 43. 4, &c. This passage is to be understood either, 1. figuratively, signifying onely that they abandoned all signs and means of comfort: or ra∣ther, 2. properly, as the following songs are, which the Ba∣bylonians required them to sing to their harps▪ And these harps they might either, 1. bring from Ierusalem, which they might desire to do to preserve those sacred utensils, and their enemies might either permit or command them to do for their own delight: or, 2. procure in Babylon, that they might sometimes solace themselves with the practice of some of the Temple-musick, which they desired and intended to do; but when they came to the tryal, they were not able to do it, and therefore laid them by.
Which commonly grow upon the banks of rivers, as they did by Euphrates in such plenty, that from thence it is called the brook of willows, Isa. 15. 7.
〈◊〉〈◊〉 word 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
〈◊〉〈◊〉 laid us 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
〈◊〉〈◊〉 79. 1.
Such songs as you used to sing in the Temple at Sion. Which they required either▪ out of curiosity, or to delight their ears, or rather by way of scoffing and insultation over them and their Temple and Religion.
Those songs which were appointed by God, and to be sung onely to his honour and in his service.
〈◊〉〈◊〉 land of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
When we are banished from our own Temple and Land, and amongst those who are strangers and enemies to God and to his Wor∣ship? So we should prostitute and •…•…rofane Gods Ordinances. And this answer they either expressed to their enemies, or kept in their own breasts when they refused to comply with their desire.
If I do not retain a deep and sorrowful sence of thy ruine and misery, or if I •…•…dulge my self in mirth and jollity, as if I had forgotten thee.
The chief instrument of play∣ing upon musical instruments and of other actions.
i. e. Lose its skill of playing. In the Hebrew it is onely, forget, without expressing what, to intimate the extent and genera∣lity of this wish, Let it forget or be disenabled not onely for playing, but for every action in which it was formerly used.
With affection and sympathy, so as to damp my joys.
Be made uncapable of singing or speaking or •…•…oving, as it is in some diseases. Compare Iob 29. 10▪ Psal. 22. 16.
•…•…eb. the •…•…ad 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
If I do not value and desire Ierusalems prosperity more than all other delights, and consequently if Ierusalems misery doth not so deeply affect me as to hinder my delight in all other things.
So as to punish them.
〈◊〉〈◊〉. 49. 7. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 25. 12.
Our constant and inveterate enemies, who had no regard either to consanguinity or huma∣nity▪
In the time of its calamity or destruction, which is oft called a day, as Iob 18. 20. Psal. 37. 13. Ezek. 30. 9. Hos. 11. 11. Obad. v. 12.
To the Babylonians, whom they assisted and provoked against Ierusalem: of which see Lam. 4. 11. Ezek. 25. 12. Obad. v. 11, 12, 13, 14.
〈◊〉〈◊〉. 10. &c. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 make 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
By which he understands the City and Empire of Baby∣lo•…•… and the people thereof.
Heb. wasted.
Who art by Gods righteous and irrevocable Sentence devoted to certain destruction.
As being Gods instrument to vindicate his honour, and execute his just judgments, and fulfil his counsel and word: which Cyr•…•…s was to his own great glory and advantage, as appears both from sacred and profane History.
Heb. that r•…•…∣compenseth unto thee thy deed which thou didst to us.
Jer. 50. 15, 29. Rev. 18. 6.
That shall use thee with equal cruelty.
Isa. 13. 16.
Heb. the rock.
As thou didst use our little ones. So this was but a just re•…•…ation foretold here, as also Is•…•…. 13. 16.