Psalm 137

WEEK  20                                           Psalm 137

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

The destruction of Jerusalem and Judah as a nation was a tragedy to the Jews. We can understand the heartbreak of seeing all they knew destroyed and seemingly washed away. After this, their captives call for the music which celebrated all that was lost. It would be like asking a mother to sing her child's favorite lullaby to the person who killed her child. 

 

When we come to the end of the Psalm for most of us our understanding turns to horror as the psalmist says the person who kills children should be happy. This is sickening to those in modern times who believe in honorable war or rules of engagement. In ancient times it was and even today in some places it is a common practice. Yet, those who came from Jerusalem saw this type of slaughter done to their own people. It can be understood that they want justice. They also understood God would allow equal retribution on Babylon for their atrocities. Seeing this as God's will they could say that the person carrying out God's will should be happy.

 

I understand this thinking but my heart is revulsed just the same. Jesus has taught us there is a better way, a way of mercy and love. I choose to embrace it.

 

Note: I place this chapter of Psalms here because we will soon meet Ezekiel who will be sitting by the rivers of Babylon. Though his story begins before the complete fall of Jerusalem perhaps it will give you the feeling of what some of those who were with him might have felt.  

Psa 137:1-9
(1)  By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
(2)  We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.
(3)  For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.
(4)  How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land?
(5)  If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.
(6)  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.
(7)  Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
(8)  O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.
(9)  Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.