Psalm 137 & Psalm 19: By The Rivers of Babylon

Scripture:      Psalm 137 (Psalm 19)        

Focus:    By the rivers of Babylon - there we sat down and there we wept when we remembered Zion. ~Psalm 137:1   

Song Lyrics:    written by Brent Dowe and Trevor McNaughton of the Jamaican Reggae Band, The Medolians, in 1970

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down
Yeah, we wept, when we remembered Zion (2x)
There the wicked
Carried us away in captivity
Required from us a song

How shall we sing the Lord's song
in a strange land?  (2x)

Let the words of our mouth
and the meditation of our heart
Be acceptable in thy sight here tonight (2x)

Take this Link to listen to the Song By the Rivers of Babylon sung by Boney M.

Commentary:  Psalm 137 expresses the lamentations of the Jewish people in exile following the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem (Zion) in 586 BC.  The message of By the rivers of Babylon, is one of “wilderness” as living in a repressive society with a longing for freedom. 

By the Rivers of Babylon has a place in pop history for being one of the few hits whose lyrics are taken almost verbatim from the Bible.  The Melodians released it in 1972, and upon its release, the song, with its message of deliverance from oppression, quickly became an anthem of the Jamaican reggae music scene.  Boney M, a German disco group, released it in 1978 and had a massive international hit on their hands. We get 2 psalms for 1 song today!

Reflection: Have you ever felt rejected, exiled, or like a captive, longing for freedom?  How did you pray?

Breath Prayer for the Day:      
Breathing in … God of Freedom    
Breathing out … Give me a song to sing