Title Psalm 137 (2010.11.7)
Contents
Title: Why You Can't Rejoice
Text: (Psalm 137:1-9)
Hymns: 95. my joy and my hope
Date: November 7, 2010 (Sunday) 5 am
Venue: Jeonju Yebut Church Small Worship Room
Introduction
The saints cannot rejoice in the world. Let's find out why.
Why can't we rejoice?
1. It is because they became prisoners of sin (verse 1).
“We sat by the rivers of Babylon and wept over Zion.”
This refers to the people of Israel weeping as they think of Jerusalem after being taken captive by Babylon.
"If I forget you, O Jerusalem, if I forget you, my right hand, you shall be withered. If I do not remember you, if I do not delight you in Jerusalem more than I delight you most, my tongue, stick you to the roof of my mouth. 5-6) did.
When a person becomes a prisoner of sin and leaves the bosom of God and the church, he cannot taste true joy. The sorrow started from the day the prodigal son left his father's arms and reached its climax before returning.
2. It is because they want to live a godly life (verses 2-4).
“We hung our harps on the branches of willows by the river, and there the captives sang to us, and those who brought us under foot demanded our rejoicing, They're asking you to sing a melody for us. How can we sing the Lord's song in a foreign land?"
This means that when the Babylonians asked us to sing a hymn for entertainment, the saints who worship God devoutly cannot use holy songs for the entertainment of the Gentiles. Therefore, let the joyful ones sing praises (James 5:13). Contrary to what he said, we cannot sing praises. Rather, our hearts are troubled and our sorrows are hidden from us. Even if you accidentally despise God's word, ignore the warnings of the prophet Jeremiah, commit sins, and eventually become prisoners of the Gentiles and try to live a godly life, you cannot enjoy true joy because the circumstances do not allow you. This was self-inflicted, but the sorrow was not small. Those who try to live godly do not like the entertainment of the world, nor do they want to be compelled (3-4).
3. It is because of the people who are being punished for their sins (verses 7-8).
“Lord, remember the words of the Edomites on the day Jerusalem fell, saying, “Tear it down, tear it down, tear it down to reveal its foundation.” Blessed is the one who repays you for the harm you have done to us, you city of Babylon, which is perishing.”
Babylon is using Israel as a rod of discipline, but Babylon is tormenting Israel as if the time has come, so God simply cannot see them. So he breaks the stick and throws it away. That is why the author prays, saying, “Strike down Babylon, which is tormenting Israel.” People who truly serve the country and people cannot live without laughter and cannot sleep. The prophet Jeremiah shed many tears for the nation and nation, and called him a prophet of tears. If you love others, you can't help but cry.
conclusion
True saints cannot rejoice in sinning, they cannot rejoice in worldly entertainment if they want to live a godly life, and they cannot rejoice when they see people commit sins and bring their own destruction. You can only rejoice in the Lord.