By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. Psalm 137:1

River by default refreshes ones soul; however, here we read of a river that is not a refreshing sight but one of great mourning. In order to understand this verse, we need to understand the context of Psalm 137.

Looks to me this is not one of King David's psalms but one of a later time when Israelites were taken as captives to Babylon - modern day Iraq. The captors forced the captives to sing songs of Zion but they could only cry thinking of their Zion they had left behind.They refused to sing their joyous songs by hanging their harps on the nearby plants and sitting down to cry.

We do not know how many captives were there - but I am sure they were a multitude of people. Imagine all of them sitting by the river side, crying in loud voice, remembering their home land... what a tragic sight it would be!

Clearly the captives were not trying to please their captors but on the other hand they even provoked more  anger by refusing to sing. The psalmist goes on to insist the reader to remember Jerusalem - the Zion.

Here is few more verses in the same context:

* Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure. Psalm 122:6
* "Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her Isaiah 66:10

Take away for today: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

We are Zion bound too so let's sing some songs of Zion today... No need for us to mourn as we are set FREE of our captivity by the blood of Jesus Christ! Amen!