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Lament by the Rivers of Babylon: A Study of Psalm 137

An exploration of Psalm 137, focusing on the themes of exile, remembrance, and hope for restoration.

1. Exile and Remembrance

1.1 The Setting of Sorrow

Verses: Psalm 137:1
  • The exiles are situated by the rivers of Babylon, a symbol of their captivity and displacement.
  • Their harps, instruments of praise, are hung on the willow trees, signifying their sorrow and inability to rejoice.

1.2 The Demand for Joy in Captivity

Verses: Psalm 137:2-3
  • The captors demand songs of joy, a cruel request that highlights the depth of the exiles' pain.
  • The question, 'How shall we sing the Lord's song in a foreign land?' reveals the impossibility of genuine worship in such circumstances.

2. Loyalty and Identity

2.1 The Oath of Remembrance

Verses: Psalm 137:5-6
  • The psalmist vows to never forget Jerusalem, placing it above all earthly joys.
  • The tongue cleaving to the roof of the mouth symbolizes the complete silencing of praise if Jerusalem is forgotten.

3. Remembering the Enemy

3.1 Remembering the Enemy's Actions

Verses: Psalm 137:7
  • The Edomites are remembered for their role in encouraging the destruction of Jerusalem.
  • The cry, 'Raze it, raze it to its foundation!' reveals their malicious intent and fuels the psalmist's anger.

4. The Call for Justice

4.1 Prophecy of Babylon's Destruction

Verses: Psalm 137:8
  • Babylon is addressed as 'O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed!' foreshadowing its eventual downfall.
  • The blessing on those who repay Babylon for its deeds reflects a desire for divine justice.

4.2 The Cry for Retribution

Verses: Psalm 137:9
  • The final verse expresses a shocking image of violence against Babylonian infants, reflecting the extreme pain and anger of the exiles.
  • This verse is a stark reminder of the brutal realities of war and the depths of human suffering.