1 By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. 2 On the willows there we hung up our lyres. 3 For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” 4 How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land? ~ Psalms 137:1-4ESV
See, the Southern Kingdom—Judah—had fallen to the Babylonians in 587/586 BC because of idolatry… and was taken to a land that was not their own. They had forsaken the LORD’s commandment and let the fire go out on their altar. They had turned their backs to the LORD and had turned their faces to worship the Baals. And because of their rebellion against God, and their forsaking Him… the people of Judah were taken into captivity… They were taken to a foreign land.
Now, there in captivity, the people taunted them. You have songs of victory. You have songs of praise. Where is your song? Where is your hope? Sing your songs now, Judah. Play your harps now, children of God. And sing us one of your songs of David. They were tormented. Made a mockery of… and they were derided. Sing your song, O Judah… Sing us a song, O children of God… Come on, sing us a joyful tone…
But their reply was How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land? This was not their Promised Land. It was not their home. They were strangers and sojourners in someone else’s land. In fact, they held out to the very bitter end, trying to keep their own homeland… even though God told them, through the prophet Jeremiah, that it was decided they were going into captivity, and if they surrendered to the Babylonians, they would save their own lives as a reward. They did not want to go to this foreign land. It was strange to them.
So many of us are in a foreign land. We’re in a strange land that isn’t our own. A land of captivity and torment. A land without peace or the Spirit of the LORD God Almighty. And just like those men and women of Judah, it’s because of our own spiritual adultery. Our own sin that we have given in to, and the enemy has taken us away captive. Now, he taunts us to sing of our God and how great He is. He taunts us with the peace we once had. The joy we once felt. The love we claim to know.
What are we to do? Humble ourselves before the LORD. Humble ourselves before our God and King, so that He might have mercy on us. So that He might redeem us from this foreign land. This strange place that doesn’t have His Spirit or His Presence. A place that is dark and cold without hope or love, and bring us back into our Promised Land. We don’t have to remain in captivity. Jesus’ blood has purchased us and redeemed us. When we return to Him and dwell in His Word, we will remain in His love.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Humble To Be Freed.