By the Rivers of Babylon
Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Psalm 137:1-9. In Psalm 137 the Psalmist speaks of the children of Israel sitting by the rivers of Babylon weeping and remembering Zion. Their captives mocked them by trying to get them to sing the songs of Zion. They asked, “How shall we sing the LORD’S song in a strange land?”
Can you imagine how they must have felt? Their city had been destroyed and they were taken into captivity for seventy years. Think about it, if they were twenty when the captivity began they would have been ninety when they were allowed to return to Jerusalem if they lived that long.
The Psalmist says if we forget Jerusalem let our right hand be maimed and our tongues cleave to the top of our mouths. They remembered how the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and how they were captured. They had to hold onto their faith; it was all they had. They trusted God to help them during this time.
Has there ever been a time in your life when all you had to hang onto was your faith in God? Did you cling to your faith that He would see you through the difficult times in life? How about faith that He loved you regardless of your circumstances? Did you have faith in God that He would work all things out for your good and His glory? Sometimes it’s hard to do, but sometimes that is all we have to hang onto. It is the only hope we have in this life when things are tough.
Daily Bible Reading:
Psalm 137:1-9
1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.
3 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.
4 How shall we sing the LORD’S song in a strange land?
5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.
6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
8 O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.
9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.
Things to think about:
- What would it be like to be captive in a strange land?
- Can you imagine your city being destroyed? How would it make you feel?
- Can you imagine being mocked and ridiculed for your faith? How would you respond?
Prayer of the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for this Scripture in Psalm 137 where the Psalmist reminds us of the children of Israel’s great sadness during their time of captivity. They longed for You and to be in their own homes once again. They missed their city and mourned because of its destruction. Help us to be grateful for what we have and how we are blessed. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Daily Bible Verse:
This is an excerpt from The Book of Psalms: Part 5 Chapters 120-150.
Click the link above to get your copy now!
For the study of Psalm 119 see my book: Psalm 119: Thy Word is a Lamp unto My Feet.
Christian Music Video: By the Rivers of Babylon
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Featured Book:
The Book of Psalms: Part 5 Chapters 120-150
by Deborah H. Bateman
About the book:
The Book of Psalms: Part 5 Chapters 120-150 by Deborah H. Bateman is the 30th book in the Daily Bible Reading Series. The book of Psalms contains 150 chapters. Deborah divided The Book of Psalms into five books to make it easier to read and study. Each book contains approximately thirty chapters from the book of Psalms.
Psalm 119 has already been published in a book called: Psalm 119: Thy Word is a Lamp unto My Feet. The book of Psalms is one of Deborah’s favorite books of the Bible. It is a great book to read if you’re ever feeling down or need to renew your relationship with Christ. King David went through a lot of tough times in his lifetime, but he loved God and trusted God to protect him from his enemies.
The book of Psalms was written by various people. About half of it was attributed to King David, whether they were written by David or for David is questioned by some biblical scholars. Some of the Psalms were written by Asaph and some say they were written for the sons of Korah and even Moses and Solomon were writers of the Psalms. The Psalms consists of poetry that was primarily meant to be used as songs of praise to the Lord.
This part of the book of Psalms contains fifteen of the Songs of degrees. They were the songs or chants that the people of Israel sang as they journeyed to Jerusalem. It also contains some of the Psalms of David.
The Book of Psalms: Part 5 Chapters 120-150 contains thirty-eight Daily Bible Reading Lessons. Each lesson contains a brief commentary by the author, the Daily Bible Reading Scriptures, a few questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer of the day. It is a great Bible study for individuals or group studies.
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Have a blessed day,
Deborah
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