Psalm 137 5

Psalm 137:5 kjv

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

Psalm 137:5 nkjv

If I forget you, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget its skill!

Psalm 137:5 niv

If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill.

Psalm 137:5 esv

If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill!

Psalm 137:5 nlt

If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
let my right hand forget how to play the harp.

Psalm 137 verses

Psalm 137 5 Meaning

Psalm 137:5 expresses an unbreakable vow of loyalty and enduring memory towards Jerusalem, particularly in the bitter context of Babylonian exile. The speaker declares that if they were to forget or abandon their devotion to Jerusalem, their most vital ability, represented by the right hand's skill, should perish or cease to function. This self-imprecation underscores an absolute and passionate commitment to their spiritual and national identity centered on God's holy city, prioritizing its remembrance above all personal capacities or pleasures in a foreign land.

Psalm 137 5 Context

Psalm 137 is a poignant lament expressing the profound sorrow and longing of the exiled Judeans in Babylon following the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple in 586 BC. They sit by the rivers of Babylon, weeping as they remember Zion (v. 1). Taunted by their captors to sing "songs of Zion" (v. 3), the exiles respond with deep anguish, refusing to perform sacred songs in a foreign, pagan land (v. 4). Verse 5, immediately following this refusal, is a solemn, self-binding oath. It marks a defiant commitment to Jerusalem, asserting that no amount of suffering or distance can sever their spiritual and emotional ties to the city that embodies their national and religious identity. This verse is central to the psalmist's refusal to profane sacred memory or music, emphasizing that their very being, symbolized by the right hand's skill, is intrinsically tied to Jerusalem.

Psalm 137 5 Word analysis

• If I forget you: The Hebrew word for "forget" is shakhach (שָׁכַח), which implies more than a mere lapse of memory. It suggests active neglect, disregard, or abandoning one's commitment or identity. The "if" introduces a conditional curse, making it a profound and solemn vow, not a contemplation of possibility, but a fervent pledge. It signifies an unwavering loyalty that actively chooses not to forget or abandon Jerusalem.
• O Jerusalem: The Hebrew Yerushalayim (יְרוּשָׁלָ‍ִם) directly addresses the city as if it were a living entity, underscoring the deep personal and emotional bond the psalmist holds. Jerusalem is not just a geographical location but the spiritual heart of Israel, representing the Temple, God's dwelling place, the Davidic covenant, and the people's collective identity and hope.
• let my right hand: The Hebrew yemini (יְמִינִי) refers to "my right hand." The right hand in ancient Near Eastern culture was consistently associated with strength, skill, power, authority, and effective action. It was the primary hand for work, war, and playing musical instruments. For the psalmists, this could especially refer to their skill in playing the lyre or harp, as indicated by the prior verse where their instruments are hung up.
• forget its skill: While some translations say "lose its cunning" (KJV) or "wither," the phrase uses the same verb shakhach (תִּשְׁכַּח) applied to the hand. This implies that the hand would become useless, losing its ability or dexterity. The penalty chosen is proportional and significant: if the speaker forgets Jerusalem (the spiritual essence of their life), then their very ability to create, contribute, or even mourn with music would cease. It highlights an incapacitation of their most vital function.

Words-group analysis

• "If I forget you, O Jerusalem": This phrase encapsulates a passionate and deliberate resolve. It's an anti-oath, swearing not to forget, under the severest self-imposed penalty. It conveys a covenantal devotion that extends beyond geographical location or current hardship, reflecting Israel's identity as being intrinsically bound to Zion.
• "let my right hand forget its skill!": This phrase provides the specific, dire consequence of such a profound act of "forgetting." The self-curse is extreme, reflecting the paramount importance of Jerusalem. It ties the loss of personal faculty directly to a spiritual lapse. It means becoming utterly inept or useless in the very realm (perhaps musical performance for solace or worship) where one would most contribute, as a direct divine or self-inflicted consequence of disloyalty. This links a loss of purpose and ability to a failure of devotion.

Psalm 137 5 Bonus section

The self-imprecation in verse 5 ("let my right hand forget its skill!") and the subsequent one in verse 6 ("let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth") create a powerful poetic parallelism, escalating the consequences for forgetting Jerusalem. The hand is often associated with doing, acting, and playing, while the tongue is associated with speaking, singing, and praising. Together, they represent the complete functional capacity of the individual. This specific oath also contrasts with the common ancient Near Eastern practice of oath-taking involving a divine witness or an external punishment. Here, the psalmist invokes a severe internal physical and professional consequence upon themselves, demonstrating the depth of personal commitment and the inviolability of their bond with Jerusalem. This Psalm captures a tension: while Jeremiah instructed the exiles to seek the peace of the city of their exile (Jer 29:7), Psalm 137 expresses an internal refusal to truly rejoice in Babylon while Jerusalem remained desolate, highlighting different aspects of faithful living in a fallen world.

Psalm 137 5 Commentary

Psalm 137:5 is a profound expression of defiant fidelity and a self-imprecation revealing the exiles' deep spiritual connection to Jerusalem. Amidst forced exile and the taunts of their Babylonian captors, the psalmist pronounces an oath so solemn that it intertwines their very being and competence with the memory of their beloved, fallen city. "Forgetting" Jerusalem is not mere forgetfulness; it implies an abandonment of identity, a surrender to assimilation, or a willingness to profane what is sacred. By linking this potential act of forgetfulness to the debilitating loss of the right hand's skill—the ability to play the harp for worship or lament, to wield a sword in defense, or to write laws and poetry—the psalmist declares that such disloyalty would render their life utterly meaningless and purposeless. This verse stands as a powerful testament to the unwavering hope and spiritual resistance of the Jewish people in the face of profound national and religious catastrophe, affirming that true joy and skillful service were impossible apart from their heritage and God's holy city. It challenges believers today to consider what central commitments they are unwilling to forget or compromise, even amidst worldly pressures.