The Emptiness of Captivity: Psalm 137
“1) By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down and wept, When we remembered Zion. 2) Upon the willows in the midst of it We hung our harps. 3) For there our captors demanded of us songs, And our tormentors mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion.” 4) How can we sing the Lord’s song In a foreign land? 5) If I forget you, O Jerusalem, May my right hand forget her skill. 6) May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth If I do not remember you, If I do not exalt Jerusalem Above my chief joy.” Psalms 137:1-6
This Psalm was written to record the excruciating pain of captivity. When Israel was exiled from the promised land, their souls were broken. They could not sing the songs of Zion while captive in Babylon. There was no joy. They hung their harps on the willow trees.
So it is with any Christian living in sinful bondage. The Spirit is grieved. There is no joy. The inner river of life has dried up. There is nothing more pathetic than a carnal Christian living in a state of broken fellowship with God. (1 John 1:5-7)
However, some are so blind and deceived they are devoid of truth. (Ephesians 4:17-24) Spiritual bondage is worse than the physical captivity endured by Israel in Psalm 137. At least they recognized their captivity and plight. (Vs 5-9)
Many lukewarm Christs fail to realize they are offensive to God. They are like the church of Laodicea. (Revelation 3:16-17) God will spit them out of His mouth.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“1) By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down and wept, When we remembered Zion. 2) Upon the willows in the midst of it We hung our harps. 3) For there our captors demanded of us songs, And our tormentors mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion.” 4) How can we sing the Lord’s song In a foreign land? 5) If I forget you, O Jerusalem, May my right hand forget her skill. 6) May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth If I do not remember you, If I do not exalt Jerusalem Above my chief joy.” Psalms 137:1-6
This Psalm was written to record the excruciating pain of captivity. When Israel was exiled from the promised land, their souls were broken. They could not sing the songs of Zion while captive in Babylon. There was no joy. They hung their harps on the willow trees.
So it is with any Christian living in sinful bondage. The Spirit is grieved. There is no joy. The inner river of life has dried up. There is nothing more pathetic than a carnal Christian living in a state of broken fellowship with God. (1 John 1:5-7)
However, some are so blind and deceived they are devoid of truth. (Ephesians 4:17-24) Spiritual bondage is worse than the physical captivity endured by Israel in Psalm 137. At least they recognized their captivity and plight. (Vs 5-9)
Many lukewarm Christs fail to realize they are offensive to God. They are like the church of Laodicea. (Revelation 3:16-17) God will spit them out of His mouth.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
