How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land? The "songs of Zion" are Jehovah's songs, used in his worship, suited only for religious occasions. It would be desecration to sing them "in a strange land," among strange people, not to call forth devotional sentiment, but to gratify curiosity.
Bible Commentary
Psalms 137:4
The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 137:4
The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain
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Matthew Henry on Psalms 137:1-4Psalms 137:1-4 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryTheir enemies had carried the Jews captive from their own land. To complete their woes, they insulted over them; they required of them mirth and a song. This was very barbarous; also profane, for no songs would serve bu…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 137:1-9Psalms 137:1-9 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION "THE most direct and striking reminiscence of the Babylonish exile in the whole Psalter" (Professor Alexander). The psalm divides into two parts. First, we are given a picture of the unhappy condition of the…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 137:1-9Psalms 137:1-9 · The Pulpit CommentaryIncongruity in religion. The psalm brings before us in very vivid color— I. THE DARK SHADOW CAST BY A GREAT GOOD. Patriotism is an excellent thing, and we are all of us glad and thankful to belong to a land of light and…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 137:1-9Psalms 137:1-9 · The Pulpit CommentaryFruits of exile from God. It was Israel's, or rather Judah's, exile from Zion and Jerusalem that this psalm commemorated; but the fruits that exile bore, and which are here told of, set forth the fruits of the yet sadde…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 137:1-6Psalms 137:1-6 · The Pulpit CommentaryBy the rivers of Babylon, etc. "The psalm expresses the feelings of an exile who has but just returned from the land of his captivity." I. THE LOSS OF LIBERTY TEMPORAL AND SPIRITUAL. 1. Brings after it the most desponde…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 137:4Psalms 137:4 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe Lord's song in a strange land. What a wonderful mixture this psalm contains of tears and tragedy, of pathetic sorrow and fiery patriotism! We can almost certainly fix the time when it was written. The first party of…
commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 137:1-4Their enemies had carried the Jews captive from their own land. To complete their woes, they insulted over them; they required of them mirth and a song. This was very barbarous; also profane, for no songs would serve bu…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 137:1-6By the rivers of Babylon, etc. "The psalm expresses the feelings of an exile who has but just returned from the land of his captivity." I. THE LOSS OF LIBERTY TEMPORAL AND SPIRITUAL. 1. Brings after it the most desponde…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 137:1-9EXPOSITION "THE most direct and striking reminiscence of the Babylonish exile in the whole Psalter" (Professor Alexander). The psalm divides into two parts. First, we are given a picture of the unhappy condition of the…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 137:1-9Incongruity in religion. The psalm brings before us in very vivid color— I. THE DARK SHADOW CAST BY A GREAT GOOD. Patriotism is an excellent thing, and we are all of us glad and thankful to belong to a land of light and…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 137:1-9Fruits of exile from God. It was Israel's, or rather Judah's, exile from Zion and Jerusalem that this psalm commemorated; but the fruits that exile bore, and which are here told of, set forth the fruits of the yet sadde…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 137:4The Lord's song in a strange land. What a wonderful mixture this psalm contains of tears and tragedy, of pathetic sorrow and fiery patriotism! We can almost certainly fix the time when it was written. The first party of…Joseph S. Exell and contributors