Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

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Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Psalm 137 with John Calvin – Justice for Those in Distress

During the Babylonian captivity the established temple worship was ended, and the psalmist complains of the enemy’s taunts. The writer of this psalm announces deserved judgment upon the Edomites and Babylonians. True God-fearers were not tempted by the luxuries of Babylon to forget their native inheritance. In spite of their hardships they recognized that they deserved punishment. By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion (v. 1). Their tears express humility and repentance, as well as distress. They remember Zion, which proves that they were not charmed by worldly advantages in Babylon, but only the worship of God. There on the poplars we hung our harps (v. 2). The banks of Babylon’s rivers were planted with trees, but this shade, however delightful, could not dispel a grief which was too deep to allow consolation or refreshment. As they sat upon the river banks in the shadows of the trees, this was just the place where they might have been tempted to take up their harps, and soothe their griefs with song; but their minds were too heavily wounded with the Lord’s displeasure to deceive themselves with such empty comfort. Remember, LORD, what the Edomites did on the day Jerusalem fell (v. 7). Vengeance was to be executed upon neighboring nations which had conspired to destroy Jerusalem. Edom is specified either because they showed more hatred and cruelty than the rest, or because their attacks were not so easily endured, considering they were brothers of the Israelites, being descendants of Esau. The Israelites had spared the Edomites at God’s command (Deut 2:4). Therefore, it was especially cruel of the Edomites to