Psalm 137

The following is a prayer and meditation on the words of this chapter:

1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

Lord here I am in the consequences of my own sin and stupidity.  And I’m sad when I remember the days of joy I experienced in your presence.

2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

I’ve put away the instruments that I played on when we were happy and full of joy.

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.

The world requires that I be happy.  My job, my obligations, life.. they all need to me to participate as though I’m not devastated, and pretend that everything is fine.

4 How shall we sing with the LORD’s song in a strange land?

Do you expect me to sing and be happy with the joy of the Lord in my heart when I feel as though I am banished from His presence?  I feel neither safe nor secure, will I be happy for you when I’m dead inside?

5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.

I don’t want to forget the days when I had the joy of the Lord.  I’d rather to never be happy again than to forget what I had with the Lord.

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.

I have nothing to sing about if it cannot be about the good life I had when your presence and blessings were upon us.  Let must just die if I make anything besides God 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.

God, remember Satan that old accuser who brings charges against your people, made in your image and bought with the blood of Christ.  He accuses and destroys the testimony of your precious ones and makes their faces sad.

8 O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed;  Happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.

Satan, your days are numbered, and we will laugh in the day of your calamity.

9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.

All will glorify the Lord in the day when you will be devoured as you have devoured us.