If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.
Parallel translations
- WEB If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill.
- BSB If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand cease to function.
- NKJV If I forget you, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget its skill!
- NASB If I forget you, Jerusalem, May my right hand forget its skill.
- NLT If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget how to play the harp.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The psalmist vows that if he forgets Jerusalem, may his right hand lose its skill.
Overview
With a solemn self-curse, the psalmist binds himself to remember the holy city no matter what. Jerusalem represented God's covenant presence and promises, never to be abandoned. This fierce loyalty models the devotion God's people owe to His kingdom, the heavenly city toward which Christ leads us.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Dan 6:10–11Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
- Jer 51:50Ye that have escaped the sword, go away, stand not still: remember the LORD afar off, and let Jerusalem come into your mind.
- Ps 84:10For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
- Isa 62:1For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.
- Zech 11:17Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.
- Ps 122:5–9For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
- Ps 102:13–14Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.
- Ps 84:1–2How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!
- Isa 62:6–7I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,
- Neh 1:2–4That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.
- Neh 2:2–3Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 137:5 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.