Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 5. If I forget thee, O Jerusalem ] Such conduct would be, in effect, a renunciation of our land a tacit acknowledgment that we were reconciled to our bondage; a concession that we were pleased with our captivity, and could profane holy ordinances by using them as means of sport or pastime to the heathen. No: Jerusalem! we remember thee and thy Divine ordinances: and especially thy King and our God, whose indignation we must bear, because we have sinned against him.
Let my right hand forget ] Let me forget the use of my right hand. Let me forget that which is dearest and most profitable to me; and let me lose my skill in the management of my harp, if I ever prostitute it to please the ungodly multitude or the enemies of my Creator!
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 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 thi affection. When suffering, we should recollect with godly sorrow ou forfeited mercies, and our sins by which we lost them. If tempora advantages ever render a profession, the worst calamity has befalle him. Far be it from us to avenge ourselves; we will leave it to Him wh 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 lookin 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 _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew אם518 אשׁכחך7911 ירושׁלם3389 תשׁכח7911 ימיני׃3225
