Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 2-241 Sunday 08 Dec 2002

Reading: Psalm 137 – THE PAIN OF DISPLACEMENT

Imagine what it must have been like for those taken ruthlessly from their homes, their families. How would you have felt?

The deep pathos of the ‘gentle sad beginning’ (vs 1,2), stands in sharp contrast to the brutal ending (vs 8,9), ‘the only defence of the persecuted’ (to quote EM Blaiklock’s commentary).

Displacement as a spiritual exercise can be uplifting of course. In his book Compassion (DLT) Henri Nouwen writes: ‘the persistent call to move away from where it is comfortable leads us to recognition of our inner brokenness and the brokenness of our fellow human beings’. But here was no voluntary displacement; the exiles had no option but to listen to the taunts of their captors demanding entertainment (v 3). Joy was silenced by the incongruity of their circumstances and a heart-longing to return to Zion. What of those millions, displaced in our present world? And for what do we long in a thirsty land, where others may mock our songs?

There are three ways of looking at the incredibly harsh words in verses 8 and 9. The first is to acknowledge that God allowed this prayer to shock readers into serious thought; this was no personal vendetta or ‘outbursts of a vengeful spirit, but legitimate expressions for the vindication that only God’s righteousness can bring’.(1) The second is to interpret the words metaphorically. So the psalmist is simply stating ‘that God will destroy Babylon and her progeny for her proud assault against God and his kingdom'(2) The third is to recognise with Derek Kidner, ‘that our calling since the cross is to pray down reconciliation, not judgement’.(3) That surely has an acutely contemporary ring about it.

‘Holy Spirit of God, so many hurt today. Help me to stand with them in their suffering’ (Richard Foster, Prayer, Hodders).

(1) & (2) Walter C Kaiser, Hard sayings of the OT, IVP (3)Psalms, IVP

– David Blair

Copyright Scripture Union, 2002

To order your quarterly edition of ‘Encounter with God’ or to enquire about other SU publications, contact the office nearest your region:

Australia – East Asia – Pacific – USA – or http://www.scriptureunion.org Canada – UK & International Office –