1 The constancy of the Jews in captivity
7 The prophet curses Edom and Babel

A.M. cir. 3463. B.C. cir 541. The author of this beautiful and affecting elegy is unknown, but the occasion is evident; and it was most probably composed during or near the close of the captivity.

the rivers Ge 2:10-14 Ezr 8:21,31 Eze 1:1

there sat Ne 1:3,4 2:3 Job 2:12,13 Jer 13:17,18 15:17 La 2:10 Eze 3:15

we wept Ps 42:4 102:9-14 Isa 66:10 Jer 51:50,51 La 1:16 2:11,18 3:48,51 Da 9:3 10:2,3 Lu 19:41 Re 11:3

2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

we hanged. Willows were so plentiful at Babylon on the banks of the Euphrates, that Isaiah calls it the brook or river of willows. Ps 33:2 81:2 Isa 24:8 Eze 26:13 Am 8:10 Re 18:22

3 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.

for there Ps 123:3,4 La 2:15,16

a song. Heb. the words of a song
wasted us. Heb. laid us on heaps Ps 79:1 Ne 4:2 Jer 9:11 26:18 Mic 3:12 Lu 21:6

the song of Zion Ps 9:14 65:1 1Ch 15:27 16:7 Isa 35:10 51:11 Jer 31:12,13 Re 14:1-3

4 How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land?

how shall Ec 3:4 Isa 22:12 La 5:14,15 Ho 9:4 Am 8:3

strange land. Heb. land of a stranger Isa 49:21

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

I forget Ps 84:1,2,10 102:13,14 122:5-9 Ne 1:2-4 2:2,3 Isa 62:1,6,7 Jer 51:50 Da 6:10,11

let my right Zec 11:17

6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

let my tongue Ps 22:15 Isa 41:17 La 4:4 Eze 3:26

if I prefer Ps 84:10 Mt 6:33 Ac 20:24 Php 1:20 1Th 3:7-9

my chief joy. Heb. the head of my joy

7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.

remember Ps 74:18 79:8-12 Ex 17:14 1Sa 15:2 Ho 7:2

the children Isa 63:1-6 Jer 49:7 La 4:21,22 Eze 25:12-14 Ob 1:10-14,18-21

raise it. Heb. make bare

8 O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.

daughter Isa 47:1-5 Jer 50:41 52:33 Zec 2:7

who art Isa 13:1 14:4-24 21:1 47:1 Jer 25:12-14 50:1 51:1 Re 14:8-11 17:1 18:6

destroyed. Heb. wasted
happy Ps 149:6-9 Isa 13:3-5 44:28 Re 17:5,6,14 18:6,20

rewardeth. etc. Heb. recompenseth unto thee thy deed which thou didst unto us Jer 50:15-29 Re 18:6

9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.

and dasheth Isa 13:16 Ho 10:14 13:16

the stones. Heb. the rock