Public domain photograph of art nouveau artwork, 19th-20th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image – Picryl
Psalm 137 is an imprecatory psalm, which asks God to punish bad people. It is also the source material of the Boney M hit. How do we cope when we feel far from home – spiritually or emotionally?
Psalm 137 is a lamentation of the deep pain of exile and the longing for restoration amidst suffering. It captures the heartache of the Israelites during their Babylonian captivity. Far from their homeland, they grieved for Zion. In sorrow, they wept by the rivers of Babylon. They were unable to sing the songs of joy. The opening verses capture this sentiment vividly.
“By the rivers of Babylon, we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. There on the poplars we hung our harps.”
We read about the pain of separation from God, from home, and from the normal life as they knew it. In their suffering, they clung to the memory of Zion. They remembered the God who had been faithful to them.
Have you ever experienced a season where you felt God is far away? How can you hold onto to hope and faith during times like this?
I invite you to say this prayer.
Father, in times when I feel far from you, remind me of your faithfulness. Help me to hold onto hope and trust that you will bring restoration, even when the road seems long and painful. Let me never lose sight of you. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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