Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Psalm 137), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• [1-3] The Jews had seen the Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and violently kill their loved ones. Now the survivors had been forcibly relocated into the heart of their enemies’ country, far from home. Everything around them was a constant reminder of the most terrible pain, and now their captors commanded them to sing happily some songs from their beloved home, which now lay in ruins. Can you imagine their grief? Have you experienced anything like this? Can you think of others in the world who are currently experiencing something like this?

• [4-6] The Babylonians were calling God’s people to forsake and forget their old identity, their old people, their old ways—and all the pain associated with these things—and to embrace a new life in Babylon. The world always seeks to lure God’s people with the promise of comforts, and makes life difficult for those who seek to remain faithful to Yahweh. Maybe you haven’t experienced this on the level of the Jews in the Babylonian deportation, but can you think of ways in which you are tempted to forsake the Christian identity, people, or ways, in order to get along more easily in the world? Can you think of ways in which it is difficult for you to remain faithful to Jesus? Have you asked for the Spirit’s help in these things?

• [7-9] God had foretold the destruction of Babylon for what they would do to his people (for example, see Isaiah 47; Habakkuk 2). Nevertheless, it takes a miracle of the Spirit of God to help his people entrust themselves to his judgment, to give their desires for righteous vengeance over to him, to patiently await the execution of his justice in his way and his timing. Even victims of great injustice cannot trust their own judgment, but must entrust themselves to the only God who judges justly, as Jesus did (1 Peter 2:23). Why is it difficult to submit to God’s judgment when you have suffered injustice? Why is it difficult to patiently await God’s judgment?

• The Babylonians had cruelly killed Jewish infants, and the Jews looked to God for just retribution according to both God’s law (Exodus 21:23-25) and his promise (Genesis 12:3). God is the only “blessed” Judge, the only one who knows what is truly wrong with each and every injustice (sin), the only one who knows how to truly make things right, and the only one who can do so without being himself corrupted by sin—even with divine happiness. Are you able to conceive of the blessedness of God’s judgment when it comes to the existence of hell? Do you think there will ever come a time when you will have a holy delight in God’s judgment? Why or why not?

• Not all of the enemies of God and his people get what they deserve in his judgment. The Gospel says that Jesus suffered the judgment deserved by those who put their trust in him. So the enemies of God may escape God’s wrath by fleeing for refuge to Jesus, by joining God’s people instead of continuing in enmity. Is this “fair”? Is this good? Do you “love your enemies and pray for them” (Matthew 5:44) to find the mercy and grace of God? Why would that be difficult? How is it possible to pray that way as a Christian? If you do pray for the forgiveness of your enemies, can you also still pray for God’s judgment using a Psalm like this one?

• How would you talk about this Psalm with other people? Your neighbors? Coworkers? Refugees? Do you think there is evangelistic potential in Psalm 137? Do you think the Babylonians were pleased when the Jews sang this song? What kind of people in the world today might react the same way? Should fear of a volatile reaction prevent you from using this Psalm in conversation or public prayer?