Psalm 137: A singer refuses to sing the people’s sacred songs in - TopicsExpress

Psalm 137: A singer refuses to sing the people’s sacred songs in an alien land despite demands from Babylonian captors (Ps 137:1–4). The singer swears an oath by what is most dear to a musician—hands and tongue—to exalt Jerusalem always (Ps 137:5–6). The Psalm ends with a prayer that the old enemies of Jerusalem, Edom and Babylon, be destroyed (Ps 137:7–9). [137:9] Blessed the one who seizes your children and smashes them against the rock: the children represent the future generations, and so must be destroyed if the enemy is truly to be eradicated. Hosea 14:1 Samaria has become guilty, for she has rebelled against her God. They shall fall by the sword, their infants shall be dashed to pieces,a their pregnant women shall be ripped open. Amos 1:13 Thus says the LORD: For three crimes of the Ammonites, and now four— I will not take it back— Because they ripped open pregnant women in Gilead,e in order to extend their territory, 14 I will kindle a fire upon the wall of Rabbah,* and it will devour its strongholds Amid war cries on the day of battle, amid stormwind on the day of tempest. 15 Their king shall go into exile, he and his princes with him, says the LORD.