Thursday, January 26, 2006
Cry me a River (Count: Psalm 137)
I have to admit, I read this Psalm a few days ago, and was stunned at first. It doesn't fit in well with the 13 Psalms that follow after it.
That's because someone ELSE wrote it.
David didn't write Psalm 137. One of God's people Israel wrote it, sometime after the time of exile/banishment (586 B.C.) to Babylon.
The fact that this song is listed in the Book of Psalms, though, means that God wants to say something to us here.
I suppose it reminds me of a few things...
(1) We can indeed bring our troubles and questions to God.
Sometimes, I try to internalize or forget my troubles. That hardly works, and it doesn't make things go away. We have got to talk things out with God. Write them out. Work them out. Talk plainly and openly with God. Here's a song of a brokenhearted, angry, bitter man or woman who has all but given up hope. His enemies are mocking him. But he still talks to God. He still thinks about God's blessing on Jerusalem, which leads me to thought #2.
(2) The Jews still have a special place in God's story.
Sure, this is an Old Testament Psalm. Sure, this is set in Babylonian exile and written by a Jew 2600 years ago. What in the world does this have to do with today? Well, I think I should learn to grasp a faith that stands up in the midst of suffering. I should appreciate the heritage of the Christian faith that goes way back to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jesus is a descendant of a Jewish King who wrote most of these Psalms.
But God is not done with Israel yet. Not to get into the book of Revelation, but there will be a new Jerusalem someday... What this writer is longing for will be restored and enhanced beyond his dreams.
(3) Revenge belongs to God.
Maybe this person in exile doesn't have the strength or resources to take revenge - but it's clear he wants it. We must let God take care of paying people back. Our culture basically breeds us to believe that we have to stand up for ourselves, fight back, and give them what they deserve.
In all actuality, they will get what they deserve. God is just. God is a judge. God will not tolerate it.
So let Him take care of things.
Until then, it's okay to let Him know how you feel about it.
That's because someone ELSE wrote it.
David didn't write Psalm 137. One of God's people Israel wrote it, sometime after the time of exile/banishment (586 B.C.) to Babylon.
The fact that this song is listed in the Book of Psalms, though, means that God wants to say something to us here.
I suppose it reminds me of a few things...
(1) We can indeed bring our troubles and questions to God.
Sometimes, I try to internalize or forget my troubles. That hardly works, and it doesn't make things go away. We have got to talk things out with God. Write them out. Work them out. Talk plainly and openly with God. Here's a song of a brokenhearted, angry, bitter man or woman who has all but given up hope. His enemies are mocking him. But he still talks to God. He still thinks about God's blessing on Jerusalem, which leads me to thought #2.
(2) The Jews still have a special place in God's story.
Sure, this is an Old Testament Psalm. Sure, this is set in Babylonian exile and written by a Jew 2600 years ago. What in the world does this have to do with today? Well, I think I should learn to grasp a faith that stands up in the midst of suffering. I should appreciate the heritage of the Christian faith that goes way back to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jesus is a descendant of a Jewish King who wrote most of these Psalms.
But God is not done with Israel yet. Not to get into the book of Revelation, but there will be a new Jerusalem someday... What this writer is longing for will be restored and enhanced beyond his dreams.
(3) Revenge belongs to God.
Maybe this person in exile doesn't have the strength or resources to take revenge - but it's clear he wants it. We must let God take care of paying people back. Our culture basically breeds us to believe that we have to stand up for ourselves, fight back, and give them what they deserve.
In all actuality, they will get what they deserve. God is just. God is a judge. God will not tolerate it.
So let Him take care of things.
Until then, it's okay to let Him know how you feel about it.
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