Psalm 137

Beset upon, conquered, and exiled, the people of Israel lifted this lament. It’s one of the few places in the Psalms where there is no praise of God, or recounting of God’s deeds of deliverance. In fact, the only mention of God in this Psalm is the request that the Lord “remember.”

All hope seems lost. When this happens, we, perhaps, like those who sang this Psalm, look to the past for joy (or at least the memory of joy). We become tangled in our despair – even vengeful – “Happy shall they be who take your little ones and dash them against the rock!”
Have you ever felt this way? Maybe you’re there now? Going back almost seems easier than going forward. The Psalter, thankfully, doesn’t end here – it proceeds in hope and praise. Through Jesus Christ and the power of resurrection we are assured that hope is never gone.