1 By the riuers of Babylon, there wee sate downe, yea we wept: when we remembred Zion.
2 Wee hanged our harpes vpon the willowes, in the midst thereof.
3 For there they that carried vs away captiue, required of vs a song, and they that wasted vs, required of vs mirth: saying, Sing vs one of the songs of Zion.
4 How shall we sing the Lords song: in a strange land?
5 If I forget thee, O Ierusalem: let my right hand forget her cunning.
6 If I doe not remember thee, let my tongue cleaue to the roofe of my mouth; if I preferre not Ierusalem aboue my chiefe ioy.
7 Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom, in the day of Ierusalem; who sayd, rase it, rase it: euen to the foundation thereof.
8 O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed: happy shall he be that rewardeth thee, as thou hast serued vs.
9 Happy shall he be that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.
The Jews bewail their captivity. (1-4) Their affection for Jerusalem. (5-9)
1-4 Their 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 but the songs of Zion. Scoffers are not to be compiled with. They do not say, How shall we sing, when we are so much in sorrow? but, It is the Lord's song, therefore we dare not sing it among idolaters.
5-9 What we love, we love to think of. Those that rejoice in God, for his sake make Jerusalem their joy. They stedfastly resolved to keep up this affection. When suffering, we should recollect with godly sorrow our forfeited mercies, and our sins by which we lost them. If temporal advantages ever render a profession, the worst calamity has befallen him. Far be it from us to avenge ourselves; we will leave it to Him who has said, Vengeance is mine. Those that are glad at calamities, especially at the calamities of Jerusalem, shall not go unpunished. We cannot pray for promised success to the church of God without looking to, though we do not utter a prayer for, the ruin of her enemies. But let us call to mind to whose grace and finished salvation alone it is, that we have any hopes of being brought home to the heavenly Jerusalem.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.