By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion. 2 We hung our harps upon the willows in the midst of it. 3 For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song, and those who plundered us requested mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”
4 How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? 5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill! 6 If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth—
if I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.
7 Remember, O Lord, against the sons of Edom the day of Jerusalem, who said, “Raze it, raze it,
To its very foundation!” 8 O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed, happy the one who repays you as you have served us! 9 Happy the one who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock! Psalm 137 NKJV
Lord God Almighty,
What a Psalm. Written by the exiles in Babylon. Deep grief, sorrow at the loss of their beloved Jerusalem. It recalls the abuse and humiliation they suffered at the hands of the Babylonians. Yet in the last three verses there is such a desire for unforgiving justice and violent revenge it comes as a shock!. Rage desiring the worst for their abusers and the helpless among them.
There is no taking stock of their own responsibility for their situation. There is no mention of You, their God. They miss the singing – not the worshipping. It leaves me feeling uncomfortable, because though I may not agree with the Babylonians conquering them, I am not sure I can condone vengeance as they perceive it!
Do we enjoy singing? Yes. Because it makes us feel good. But to sing in worship is more. Do we call on You to enable us to get our own back on those who have wronged us? It is not easy to love our enemies especially if we think we have done nothing wrong. And sometimes we have not. This Psalm speaks of raw emotions and not from a relationship with You. Sometimes anger comes before recognition and repentance. May we seek Your face, yes be honest in prayer but then listen. And worship our way da by day.
In Jesus name wee pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 13h August 2026
It had to be this song even though it is not a ‘church’ worship song it is an interesting mix of two Psalms bringing repentance into the mix! Boney M were a commercial band but two of their singers Liz Mitchell and Maizie Williams, were very vocal born again Christians. They covered this song – originally by the Melodians.
By the rivers of Babylon there we sat down
Yeah, we wept when we remembered Zion
By the rivers of Babylon there we sat down
Yeah, we wept when we remembered Zion
[Verse 1]
When the wicked carried us away in captivity
Required from us a song
Now how shall we sing the Lord’s song
In a strange land?
When the wicked carried us away in captivity
Requiring of us a song
Now how shall we sing the Lord’s song
In a strange land?
[Verse 2]
Let the words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart
Be acceptable in thy sight here tonight
Let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts
Be acceptable in thy sight here tonight
Chorus
Music Interlude
By the rivers of Babylon (Dark tears of Babylon)
There we sat down (You got to sing a song)
Yeah we wept (Sing a song of love)
When we remembered Zion (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
By the rivers of Babylon (Rough bits of Babylon)
There we sat down (You hear the people cry)
Yeah we wept (They need their god)
Lyrics: Brent Dowe, Trevor McNaughton
From Psalm 19 and Psalm 137