Psalms 137:5 Meaning and Explanation
“If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A binding oath: if I abandon loyalty to Jerusalem, may I lose my skill and strength.
The Context of Psalms 137:5
The exiles bind themselves to Jerusalem through oath, declaring it the supreme loyalty of their hearts.
What Does Psalms 137:5 Mean?
The psalmist swears a solemn oath of faithfulness to Jerusalem, using the logic of covenantal language. 'Forget' means more than lose memory—it means abandon, stop caring for. The right hand represents skill, strength, and capacity to act. To forget Jerusalem is unthinkable; the curse ('let my right hand forget her cunning') shows how seriously the psalmist takes this commitment.
This oath transforms the exile into a test of loyalty. Even separated by distance and time, even under oppressive rule, the psalmist refuses to abandon Jerusalem or replace it with Babylon. The self-imposed curse demonstrates that covenant love is stronger than exile, captivity, or pressure to assimilate.
Psalms 137:5 in the Original Language
shakach (שָׁכַח), 'forget' — in covenant language, to abandon, cease caring for, or turn away from loyalty.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 137:5
What does Psalms 137:5 mean?
A binding oath: if I abandon loyalty to Jerusalem, may I lose my skill and strength.
What is the context of Psalms 137:5?
The exiles bind themselves to Jerusalem through oath, declaring it the supreme loyalty of their hearts.