In this verse, the psalmist expresses a deep emotional connection to Jerusalem, symbolizing the heart of their identity and faith. The mention of forgetting Jerusalem signifies a loss of cultural and spiritual roots.
Explain Psalm 137:5-6Bible Verses About Jerusalem
What does the Bible say about jerusalem?
Jerusalem holds a unique place in Scripture as the city God chose for his name. Psalm 122:6 tells worshipers to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and Zechariah 8:3 promises that the LORD will return to dwell in her midst, so that she is called a city of truth.
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Psalm 122:6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem — they shall prosper that love you.
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What the Bible teaches
God's choice, not the city's size, made Jerusalem central
In 2 Chronicles 6:6 God says, "I have chosen Jerusalem for my name to be there, and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel." Solomon quotes this when the temple is dedicated. The city's standing rests on God's choice, not on its location or its strength. Scripture uses that same logic about Israel as a whole.
Praying for the city's peace is a command, not a nice feeling
Psalm 122:6 says, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem," and promises that those who love her will do well. The psalm is one of the songs pilgrims sang as they traveled up to the festivals. So the request came from people arriving at the city, not from people who lived there. In Hebrew there is deliberate wordplay between the word for peace and the city's own name.
Exiles made remembering the city a first loyalty
In Psalm 137:5-6 the writer calls down a curse on himself. He says, "If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill." He asks that his tongue stick to the roof of his mouth. He ranks Jerusalem "above my chief joy." Someone far from home wrote this, and he refuses to let distance dull the memory.
Jesus wept over the city whose peace he had come to bring
Psalm 122:6 asks God's people to pray for Jerusalem's peace. Luke records Jesus weeping over the city, because it did not recognize "the things which belong unto thy peace" (Luke 19:41-42). He grieved over the judgment he announced rather than gloating about it. The pilgrim's prayer and the tears of Jesus aim at the same thing.
Restoration is described by character, not just rebuilt walls
In Isaiah 62:1 God refuses to rest "until her righteousness shines like brightness and her salvation like a burning lamp." Zechariah 8:3 promises that Jerusalem will be called "The City of Truth" and the mountain of the LORD will be called "The Holy Mountain." Both passages measure restoration by what the city is like, not by its buildings.
The Bible ends with a Jerusalem that comes down
Revelation 21:2 shows "the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband." It comes down instead of being built up from below, which makes it a gift rather than an achievement. John later notes that the city has no temple, because God and the Lamb are its temple (Revelation 21:22).
More verses about jerusalem
In this verse, the speaker expresses a deep commitment to Zion and Jerusalem, symbolizing God's people and their spiritual state. The speaker vows to remain vocal and active in seeking justice and righteousness for them.
Explain Isaiah 62:1In this verse, God expresses His commitment to return to Zion, which symbolizes His presence among His people. By stating He will dwell in Jerusalem, He emphasizes the importance of this city as a center of truth and holiness.
Explain Zechariah 8:3In this verse, John describes a vision of the new Jerusalem, a holy city that symbolizes the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to His people. This city is depicted as coming down from heaven, indicating a divine origin and purpose.
Explain Revelation 21:2In this verse, God expresses His choice of Jerusalem as a special place where His presence will dwell. This city is not just a geographical location; it symbolizes a connection between God and His people.
Explain 2 Chronicles 6:6Keep studying jerusalem
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Frequently asked questions
Why is Jerusalem so important in the Bible?
God attached his name to it. 2 Chronicles 6:6 records his choice of Jerusalem and of David, and the temple built there became the center of Israel's worship. The prophets tie the city's future to God's own promise, as in Isaiah 62:1. Revelation 21:2 closes Scripture with a new Jerusalem. From David's capture of the city to the final vision, it is the place where God lives with his people.
What does it mean to 'pray for the peace of Jerusalem'?
Psalm 122:6 asks for shalom, a wholeness that includes safety, justice, and wellbeing for the city and the people in it. The psalm was sung by pilgrims arriving for festivals, so the prayer was about the place where God's people gathered to worship. Christians disagree sharply about how this verse relates to politics in the region today. The prayer itself asks God for peace; it does not endorse any policy.
Why is Jerusalem also called Zion?
Zion was first the name of the fortress David captured, described as "the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David" (2 Samuel 5:7). Over time the name spread to the temple mount, then to the whole city, and finally to God's people. Isaiah 62:1 uses Zion and Jerusalem side by side, and Zechariah 8:3 does the same. That is why the two names often appear together.
What is the new Jerusalem in Revelation?
Revelation 21:2 describes it as the holy city coming down from God out of heaven, prepared like a bride for her husband. The picture mixes a city and a bride, so it stands for both a place and God's people. Its most striking feature is what is missing: no temple, because God and the Lamb are its temple (Revelation 21:22). Christians hold different views on how literally to read the description, while agreeing that it pictures God living with his people forever.
Does the Bible promise Jerusalem will be restored?
In Isaiah 62:1 God vows not to rest until Jerusalem's righteousness shines. Zechariah 8:3 promises he will return to Zion and live there, renaming it "The City of Truth." Both were spoken to people who had seen the city destroyed. Christians read these promises differently. Some see them fulfilled in the return from exile and in Christ, while others expect more still to come. The passages themselves stress righteousness and God's presence rather than dates.
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