Psalm 137 creates the theme of lament

The end of Psalm 137 is particularly troublesome with its violent images. It reminds us that unless grief and anger are expressed constructively through song, poetry, or other creative outlets, they can turn inward and cut away at one’s own soul or turn outward in acts of violence

Within the Hebrew worship tradition we find a place for corporate lament. Israel had a history of oppression by foreign powers and needed space within their worship to express their profound grief over national disasters, such as the exile. The psalms of lament gave the Israelites permission to sing their sorrow. In our own current climate of national threats of war and destruction, feelings of despair and hopelessness can overwhelm us. We need to lament, to collectively mourn our government’s push for war.

As we sing this psalm of lament and listen to a reading from the book of Lamentations, let us imagine the children and people of Iraq who are struggling to survive under U.S. sanctions and who will be further injured by war3. Remember the words of Jeremiah to the exiles: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.” (Jeremiah 31:15) Mentally see the streams of Iraqi refugees displaced from their homeland, like Israelites were in Babylon. Visualize the peacemakers who are growing weary from their efforts. Remember the soldiers who obey orders and leave home and family and the leaders who send them. As we sing, think of your own sadness evoked by the possibilities of war and our nation’s captivity to violence.

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Augustine on this text: Brethren, let not your instruments of music rest in your work: sing one to another songs of Sion. Readily have ye heard; the more readily do what ye have heard, if ye wish not to be willows of Babylon fed by its streams, and bringing no fruit. But sigh for the everlasting Jerusalem: whither your hope goeth before, let your life follow; there we shall be with Christ. Christ now is our Head; now He ruleth us from above; in that city He will fold us to Himself; we shall be equal to the Angels of God. We should not dare to imagine this of ourselves, did not the Truth promise it. This then desire, brethren, this day and night think on. Howsoever the world shine happily on you, presume not, parley not willingly with your lusts. Is it a grown-up enemy? let it be slain upon the Rock. Is it a little enemy? let it be dashed against the Rock. Slay the grown-up ones on the Rock, and dash the little ones against the Rock. Let the Rock conquer. Be built upon the Rock, if ye desire not to be swept away either by the stream, or the winds, or the rain. If ye wish to be armed against temptations in this world, let longing for the everlasting Jerusalem grow and be strengthened in your hearts. Your captivity will pass away, your happiness will come; the last enemy shall be destroyed, and we shall triumph with our King, without death.

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