Remember

Psa. 137 is an interesting text. Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians in 587/86 BC and many of its residents were taken captive. It was no surprise that this happened considering the countless warnings given by the prophets. This Psalm picks up with some of the exiles positioned beside one of the many waterfronts of Babylon. The exiles sat with their harps hung in the willows and their hearts low. Separation from the Temple in Jerusalem probably prohibited the exiles from worshipping God (4). It seems that the Babylonian captives knew this and were demanding that the exiles play a song for them (3), which in effect, was like saying, “where is your God now!” The Psalmist proclaims a promise, If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand wither away! May my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth if I fail to remember you.

The OT gives at least three ways that one can forget God: 1. Abandon the Lord (Isa. 49.14), 2. Pervert his ways (Jer. 3.21), 3. Commit idolatry (Deut. 4.23). Why would one wager the use of their hand and tongue for failing to remember Jerusalem? A mute tongue and a withered hand were two of seven things that were associated with useless idols in Psa. 115.4-8. The Psalmist also declares that those who worship such inept idols will become like the idols themselves (115.8). If these two Psalms can be seen as enlightening one another, then the exiles may become like mute, immobile idols if they forget Jerusalem.

Ironically, Psalm 137 portrays Judah as a powerless nation in Babylon. One of the reasons God allowed Judah to be taken captive was their idolatrous practices. They had forgotten God and replaced him with idols. Fittingly, they now find themselves powerless, just like the idols they had served. I think it is fair to say that the Babylonian Exile cured the Jews of idol worship. But before they found the cure, they learned firsthand what an idol could do for them: Nothing! The Psalmist gives great advice for preventing such a predicament, Remember! Similarly, Peter declares that remembering the Lord’s sacrificial death can prevent Christians from becoming useless (2 Pet. 1.5-9). Those who are not growing but becoming useless, unproductive, and blind can attribute it to one thing: they have forgotten what the Lord has done for them (2 Pet. 1.9).