Psalm 137 is a rather sobering Psalm; as the Israelite captives were ready to cross over the rivers leading into Babylon, they sat down and wept remembering Zion. To add to their grief, their captors were ridiculing them by asking them to sing one of the songs of Zion.
Music, especially singing, is a very important part of Jewish customs, traditions, worship, and life. Their songs are upbeat, very rhythmical, joyful, a part of almost every aspect of their lives. Plus, they really just love to sing. But as stated in Ecclesiastes, there’s a time to sing, and times when you don’t feel like singing, and if forced to do so, it just isn’t the same.
While being held captive, God’s people were thinking of the desolation of Jerusalem, and it was hard to sing of the joys of the land, of the blessings and prosperity, or the goodness of God while defeated, captured, and enslaved. And so while in Babylon, the songs were silent, until freedom and restoration came through the LORD.
I too have experienced this same loss of joy, this same feeling of sorrow, and lack of desire to rejoice in all things. A time when singing was just not something I could do. That morning, weeping, and lamenting were all I could manage – Until spiritual restoration came to my soul through Jesus Christ. Then, just as the time of captivity was ended for the Jews after 70 years due to their sin, and they returned to Jerusalem, so my captivity was ended and I returned to the LORD.
Oh how happy is the man who's joy is in the LORD.
The Truth: “I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like a mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.” (Isaiah 44:22)
