Psalm 137:8-9

Psalm 137:8-9

Babylon, doomed to destruction

The last two verses of this Psalm cry out vengeance against the land of Babylon. As we have seen, Hebrew poetry often personified royal cities, nations or peoples as women, thus Zion is referred to as “Virgin Daughter Zion” in 2 Kings 19:21. Babylon here is a daughter who is doomed to destruction as the prophets had foretold. (Isaiah 13 and 47 predict this as does Jeremiah 50-51.) Isaiah speaks of a “cruel day when the day of the Lord comes with wrath and fierce anger – to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it.” Isaiah 13:9. He talks of “the children being dashed to pieces before their very eyes!” Isaiah 13:16. Isaiah 47 speaks of calamity and catastrophe hitting the land, although it is worthy of note that the following chapter (48) is headed “Stubborn Israel” in many Bibles!  Jeremiah is no less vitriolic in his condemnation of Babylon and the chapters mentioned above make chilling reading. In 539BC Cyrus, King of Persia, invaded Babylon and from that time on the city and the Empire gradually descended into ruins as it was fought over by the Greeks and the Parthians. This whole area of ancient Mesopotamia was eventually swallowed up completely and today, there are few remains of the ancient Babylonian civilisation. 

The Book of Revelation talks of Babylon as a future world-influencing power and, in truth, the spirit of the times we live in corresponds with the beliefs and practices of the Babylonians. There is talk of world government, a spirit of the dominance of human ingenuity and authority, we live in a culture that is corrupt and that rebels against the one, true God. Let us be in no doubt that God is not amused and He will not overlook these powerful kingdoms that rise up and dominate the history of our world. We are vey adept at painting a picture of a smiling, benevolent God who loves all, without presenting the world with the God of justice and righteousness who despises sin and who will punish those who reject Him and impose their own authority on this planet. So, the Psalm ends brutally, and women and children will not be spared when judgement comes. Let’s leave the final word to the triumphant cry found in Revelation 14:8. “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.” 

 

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