It might just be the most shocking verse in the Bible. It is certainly one people don’t embroider on a throw pillow or sticker on the wall. How blessed will be the one who seizes and dashes your little ones Against the rock. Psalms 137:9 It’s violent overtone toward children. A prayer to God to harm others. It’s gleeful delight in the worse happening to an enemy. Should such a bitter outburst belong in the Bible? To understand its place and inclusion, we need to examine the whole psalm. The 137 th Psalm is the song of a people forced into captivity. Those ripped from their homes. Poets forced to sing songs about a homeland that now lies in ruins. To their captors they are just entertainment, but to the captives they are just pain. That is why they are lashing out. How can such a wicked people win? How can evil dominate? “God” they cry, “ do something !” Pain doesn’t talk with reason. Agony does not come as a measure re...
The Preacher sought to find delightful words and to write words of truth correctly.