Dwelling in self-pity

Psalm 137 is one of the more depressing psalms in the book, a lament apparently written during the Babylonian captivity.

It pictures the psalmist sitting by the rivers of Babylon, harp in hand, but so depressed by the fall of Jerusalem that he had lost all desire to play it.  So instead, he just hangs it on a nearby tree as he mourns over Jerusalem.

Then some of the Babylonians happen by to poke fun at the Jews saying, “Come on!  Sing some songs for us.  Entertain us with the songs you used to sing in Jerusalem.”

But the psalmist refused saying, “How can I sing such songs here in Babylon. How can I show such utter disrespect for the land I love by doing so.  I’d rather lose all my skill in the harp and become a mute than do that.”

He then closes by calling curses on Edom and Babylon.

On Edom because though they were brothers (that is, the ancestors of Edom were Esau and the ancestors of Israel Jacob), that Edom had rejoiced in Israel’s fall.

On Babylon because of all the atrocities that they poured down upon Jerusalem even to the killing of Israel’s children.  So the psalmist curses them, asking that they would receive would they themselves had dealt to others.

How often do we feel as the psalmist did?  We’re down and out, mostly, if not entirely, because of our own sin.  Our own family mocks us, and those who hate us just pour salt in our wounds, saying “Where is this Lord you serve now?”

How do we respond to all this?

We have a choice.  We can stay where we are in self-pity, mourning over what we’ve lost, and simply give in to bitterness.  But if we do so, we’ll waste away physically and spiritually.

Or we can repent and turn our faces to God as people like Daniel and Nehemiah did.

If we do, God will restore the ruins we’ve made of our lives.  And in doing so, he will restore our joy.

What will you do?

The choice is yours.