Psalms 137:6 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The oath deepens: may I lose my voice if I fail to remember Jerusalem and hold it above all earthly happiness.
The Context of Psalms 137:6
The oath moves from skill (the hand) to voice (the tongue) to the final test: does Jerusalem surpass all other joy?
What Does Psalms 137:6 Mean?
To 'remember' Jerusalem means to actively maintain it in the heart and mind, to keep covenant loyalty alive. The oath escalates: if this fails, the tongue will cleave (stick) to the roof of the mouth—a graphic picture of enforced silence, of being unable to speak. The exile would become voiceless, unable to even protest or testify to faith.
'If I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy' reveals the cost of exile: Babylon offers earthly comfort, but Jerusalem must outrank every pleasure, every material happiness. This is the hierarchy of the heart. The exiles refuse to be seduced by Babylon's security into forgetting the higher loyalty that makes them God's covenant people.
Psalms 137:6 in the Original Language
tevel (טֶבַל), 'roof of mouth' — literally the palate; 'cleave' means to adhere or stick, rendering speech impossible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 137:6
What does Psalms 137:6 mean?
The oath deepens: may I lose my voice if I fail to remember Jerusalem and hold it above all earthly happiness.
What is the context of Psalms 137:6?
The oath moves from skill (the hand) to voice (the tongue) to the final test: does Jerusalem surpass all other joy?