Psalm 137:4 –
But how can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a pagan land?
This is a Psalm about Israel while in captivity apparently with Babylon. They are questioning how to do what their captors ask, yet they realize they must not for them but for God. It’s an interesting Psalm when you look at how it develops, from despair to hope. Have you ever been so down you could not sing?
I know we talk so much about the “hope” we have in Jesus, but that “hope” is difficult to maintain when everything around us is going awry. I am sure that’s what the people of Israel were thinking at the time this was written. As times change things seem to remain the same. A nation is in turmoil and they need security. They feel so oppressed they cannot even sing songs. Are we there today?
Well ask yourself do you feel comfortable listening to or singing praise and worship music outside church? How about outside your home or car? So are you oppressed or just embarrassed? Are we in “pagan lands” or are we in “safe” lands? I know we were at one time, but freedom has swung to the point of oppressing religion. Does that mean we need to be like rappers intruding on everyone’s space with our music? No, we need to be respectful like I would ask others to be of me. Anyway we should focus on rejoicing in God, be it public or private … just give thanks!