Psalm 137:1-9

Introduction: Last week, we went through the experience of a people in exile—a people who had been torn away from their homes, separated from their families, and stripped of everything they knew and loved. The Israelites found themselves in Babylon, a land of strange gods and foreign customs. Their hearts were broken, their spirits crushed, and yet, even in the depths of their despair, they recognized that God was still worthy of praise. This truth is as relevant for us today as it was for them. God is present and worthy of praise on the mountain top, and He is present and worthy of praise in the valley of exile.

Transition: Today, we are going to focus on a key element that the exiles in Babylon had to hold on to—focus. When everything around them was unfamiliar and painful, they had to focus their hearts, their minds, and their souls on God. They had to resist the distractions of Babylon and cling to the promises of God, even when those promises seemed distant. And in our lives, when we find ourselves in our own versions of exile, we too must find that same focus.

I. The Pain of Exile (Psalm 137:1-4)

“By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. There on the poplars we hung our harps, for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, ‘Sing us one of the songs of Zion!’ How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?” (Psalm 137:1-4, NIV)

The pain of exile is real. The Israelites wept by the rivers of Babylon, remembering the glory of Zion—the place where they had worshiped, where they had felt close to God, where they had been free. And now, they are mocked by their captors, asked to sing the songs of Zion in a land that is not their own.

For us, exile might look different. It might be a season of loss, a time of intense grief, a period of uncertainty or doubt. We might feel like we are far from God, that our prayers are going unanswered, that the joy we once knew is out of reach. But in these moments, we must do what the Israelites did—we must remember Zion. We must remember the times when God has been faithful, the promises He has made, the love He has shown.

II. The Temptation to Lose Focus (Psalm 137:5-6)

“If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill. May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy.” (Psalm 137:5-6, NIV)

In exile, the temptation to lose focus is strong. The Israelites were tempted to forget Jerusalem, to lose sight of their identity as God’s chosen people. They were surrounded by a culture that did not know their God, that did not honor their values, that tried to reshape their identity. But they made a declaration: “If I forget you, Jerusalem… if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy…”

For us, the world is full of distractions that can cause us to lose focus on God. We are surrounded by voices that tell us to forget who we are in Christ, to abandon our faith, to conform to the patterns of this world. But like the Israelites, we must make a choice. We must declare that we will not forget the Lord, that we will not allow the world to reshape our identity, that we will consider our relationship with God as our highest joy.

III. The Power of Focused Faith (Psalm 137:7-9)

“Remember, Lord, what the Edomites did on the day Jerusalem fell. ‘Tear it down,’ they cried, ‘tear it down to its foundations!’ Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is the one who repays you according to what you have done to us. Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.” (Psalm 137:7-9, NIV)

These verses are difficult, but they reveal the depth of the Israelites' pain and their longing for justice. They were in a place of deep lament, crying out to God to remember their suffering and to act on their behalf. Even in their pain, they were focused on God as the ultimate judge, the one who would bring justice.

Focused faith in the midst of exile is not about denying our pain or pretending that everything is okay. It’s about bringing our pain to God, trusting that He sees, He knows, and He will act. It’s about holding on to the belief that God is still in control, that He is still good, that His promises are still true, even when our circumstances are overwhelming.

Call to Action:

Where in your life do you feel like you are in exile? Maybe it’s in your relationships, your job, your health, or your spiritual walk. What would it look like to praise God in the midst of your lament? What would it look like to focus your heart on Him, to remember His faithfulness, to declare that He is your highest joy, even when everything else is falling apart?

Today, I challenge you to shift your focus. Don’t let your circumstances dictate your praise. Don’t let the exile silence your worship. Instead, let your praise rise from the depths of your soul, even in the midst of your lament. God is present in your exile, and He is worthy of your focus, your faith, and your praise.

Conclusion:

As we close, remember this: the Israelites were in exile, but they were not abandoned. They were in a foreign land, but God was still with them. Their story reminds us that no matter where we are, no matter what we are going through, God is with us. He is our focus, our strength, and our hope. Let us choose to focus on Him, to praise Him, to trust Him—no matter what.