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Psalm 137

Psa. 137:6 KJV (With Strong’s)

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6
If I do not remember
zakar (Hebrew #2142)
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention; also (as denominative from 2145) to be male
KJV usage: X burn (incense), X earnestly, be male, (make) mention (of), be mindful, recount, record(-er), remember, make to be remembered, bring (call, come, keep, put) to (in) remembrance, X still, think on, X well.
Pronounce: zaw-kar'
Origin: a primitive root
thee, let my tongue
lashown (Hebrew #3956)
also (in plural) feminine lshonah {lesh-o-naw'}; from 3960; the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame, a cove of water)
KJV usage: + babbler,bay, + evil speaker, language, talker, tongue, wedge.
Pronounce: law-shone'
Origin: or lashon {law-shone'}
cleave
dabaq (Hebrew #1692)
properly, to impinge, i.e. cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit
KJV usage: abide fast, cleave (fast together), follow close (hard after), be joined (together), keep (fast), overtake, pursue hard, stick, take.
Pronounce: daw-bak'
Origin: a primitive root
to the roof of my mouth
chek (Hebrew #2441)
properly, the palate or inside of the mouth; hence, the mouth itself (as the organ of speech, taste and kissing)
KJV usage: (roof of the) mouth, taste.
Pronounce: khake
Origin: probably from 2596 in the sense of tasting
; if I prefer
`alah (Hebrew #5927)
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative (as follow)
KJV usage: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, + shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, X mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, + perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work.
Pronounce: aw-law'
Origin: a primitive root
a not Jerusalem
Yruwshalaim (Hebrew #3389)
a dual (in allusion to its two main hills (the true pointing, at least of the former reading, seems to be that of 3390)); probably from (the passive participle of) 3384 and 7999; founded peaceful; Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
KJV usage: Jerusalem.
Pronounce: yer-oo-shaw-lah'-im
Origin: rarely Yruwshalayim {yer-oo- shaw-lah'-yim}
above λmy chief
ro'sh (Hebrew #7218)
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
KJV usage: band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, X every (man), excellent, first, forefront, ((be-))head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), X lead, X poor, principal, ruler, sum, top.
Pronounce: roshe
Origin: from an unused root apparently meaning to shake
joy
simchah (Hebrew #8057)
blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)
KJV usage: X exceeding(-ly), gladness, joy(-fulness), mirth, pleasure, rejoice(-ing).
Pronounce: sim-khaw'
Origin: from 8056
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a
Psa. 84:10• 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. (Psa. 84:10)
λ
the head of my joy.

More on:

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Jerusalem

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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let my tongue.
Psa. 22:15• 15My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. (Psa. 22:15)
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Isa. 41:17• 17When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. (Isa. 41:17)
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Lam. 4:4• 4The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them. (Lam. 4:4)
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Ezek. 3:26• 26And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to them a reprover: for they are a rebellious house. (Ezek. 3:26)
if I prefer.
Psa. 84:10• 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. (Psa. 84:10)
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Matt. 6:33• 33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matt. 6:33)
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Acts 20:24• 24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24)
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Phil. 1:20• 20According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. (Phil. 1:20)
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1 Thess. 3:7‑9• 7Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
 8For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
 9For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; (1 Thess. 3:7‑9)
my chief joy.
Heb. the head of my joy.
• He would rather his tongue be silent altogether, if Jerusalem is not remembered and preferred above all worldly joys. (“Psalm 137” by H. Smith)

J. N. Darby Translation

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6
If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to my palate: if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

W. Kelly Translation

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6
Let my tongue cleave to my palate, if I do not remember thee,{HR}If I do not raise Jerusalem above my chief joy.