Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 4. How shall we sing the Lord's song ] ryn ûya eich! nashir; O, we sing! Who does not hear the deep sigh in the strongly guttural sound of the original ûya eich! wrung, as it were, from the bottom of the heart? Can WE, in this state of slavery, - WE, exiles, from our country, WE, stripped of all our property, - WE, reduced to contempt by our strong enemy, - WE, deprived of our religious privileges, - WE, insulted by our oppressors, - WE, in the land of heathens, - WE sing, or be mirthful in these circumstances? No: God does not expect it; man should not wish it; and it is base in our enemies to require it.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-4 - Their enemies had carried the Jews captive from their own land. To complete their woes, they insulted over them; they required of the mirth and a song. This was very barbarous; also profane, for no song would serve but the songs of Zion. Scoffers are not to be compile with. They do not say, How shall we sing, when we are so much i sorrow? but, It is the Lord's song, therefore we dare not sing it amon idolaters.
Original Hebrew איך349 נשׁיר7891 את853 שׁיר7892 יהוה3068 על5921 אדמת127 נכר׃5236
