Psalm 137
Over the past few days, I watched the news to see such devastation hit California with mudslides, wildfires and droughts these past few months. In the aftermath of each, residents who had evacuated returned to find their homes and everything they owned destroyed. The television newscasts showed their tears and their grief.
Suc was the situation for the children of Israel who had been carried away into captivity in Babylon. In collaboration with the neighboring tribe of Edom, Babylon had razed Jerusalem; their beautiful holy city had been destroyed. Finding themselves as foreigners in Babylon, subjugated as slaves to their new masters, they had lost the song in their hearts. Their harps hung unused on the willow trees; in their grief, they could not sing as they remembered the former glory of Jerusalem and all they had left behind.
Jerusalem was more than just their home and a beautiful city. It represented the habitation of God and His presence in the midst of His people. Without Jerusalem and the place of worship, it was likely that they would forget God. Though they could not sing their songs of joy, they prayed that they would not forget God although in a foreign land. It would be better for them to become lame and their tongue unable to speak than to forget God and the place he was worshipped. In their misery and suffering, Israel prayed for recompense upon their captors; get their greatest need was not to be liberated but for the song of the Lord to return.
Hugs and prayers
Izzy
izzy