A Strange Land.

A STRANGE LAND.

Psalm 137.

The exile is over (at least for those who chose to return), and Babylon as a world power has fizzled out: her nobles sailed downstream to safety, and the Persian conqueror Cyrus allowed the many misplaced peoples dwelling in Babylon to return to their own lands. Cyrus had earlier been celebrated by name as God’s man in the prophecies of Isaiah (Isaiah 44:28; Isaiah 45:1).

So the returned exiles can now reflect on their past distress.

Babylon was a great sprawling city built upon a plain. Its rivers were joined by canals. It was here, by the water courses that the exiles found the ‘weeping willow’ trees upon which they, at least metaphorically, ‘hung their harps’ (Psalm 137:1-2).

The reason for this despondent laying aside of their instruments of music was because of their captors’ taunt: “sing us one of the songs of Zion.” The exiles response was, “How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a strange land” (Psalm 137:3-4).

There is a spiritual message here, in these very words. As Christians, we are but strangers and pilgrims in this world (Hebrews 11:13). The world likes our message only if it entertains them, and demands nothing of them. So-called ‘church services’ that tickle the senses and water down the gospel are reprehensible.

The Psalmist now speaks in the singular, probably on behalf of each individual in the exile community: “If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning” (lose the ability to earn a living). “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” (Psalm 137:5-6).

These are strong words: but love is a strong emotion.

Now the community make their complaint to the LORD. They call to remembrance their betrayal by their kinsmen and allies, Edom, who turned against Jerusalem in her hour of need (Psalm 137:7).

But Psalm 137:8-9 is more declarative, or even prophetic, in speaking TO “the daughter of Babylon, WHO ART TO BE DESTROYED” (cf. Jeremiah 51:54-56). This was not fulfilled when Cyrus conquered Babylon, for that takeover was more peaceful than appears here. It rather points further to the fall of the spiritual Babylon, when ‘heaven and apostles and prophets’ are called to ‘REJOICE over her… for God hath avenged you on her’ (Revelation 18:20).

If we want a spiritual application of “dashing the little ones against the stones” (Psalm 137:9), then we must take it into our own spiritual warfare, and nip in the bud every rising of sin within ourselves (Romans 8:13; Colossians 3:5). Otherwise we leave the verse where it belongs: in the Old Testament.