What lessons can we learn about justice and vengeance from Psalm 137:9? Opening the Text “Blessed is he who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.” (Psalm 137:9) Walking Through the Setting • Psalm 137 records Israel’s anguish in Babylonian captivity (vv. 1-4). • Verses 7-9 respond to Edom’s betrayal (v. 7) and Babylon’s cruelty (v. 8). • Verse 9 invokes the covenant promise that the oppressor will reap what it has sown (cf. Isaiah 13:16; Jeremiah 50:15). Key Truths About Divine Justice • Justice is retributive as well as restorative. – Genesis 9:6: “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed.” – Psalm 94:1: “O LORD, God of vengeance, shine forth.” • God’s judgments are perfectly righteous and never excessive (Deuteronomy 32:4). • By calling future conquerors “blessed,” the psalm affirms that acting as agents of God’s sentence is honorable when God Himself authorizes it (Isaiah 45:1-4). Why the Harsh Image? • Babylon slew Judah’s infants (2 Kings 25:7; Lamentations 5:11-13). The psalm calls for measure-for-measure repayment (Obadiah 15). • Infants represent a nation’s future; total judgment shows that evil kingdoms will have no legacy left to perpetuate wickedness (Nahum 1:14). • The language is not a human outburst alone; it is prophetic of God’s declared verdict (Jeremiah 51:24). Lessons for Today 1. Divine vengeance is certain • Romans 12:19: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” • Psalm 137:9 reminds us that no atrocity escapes His notice. 2. God, not individuals, executes final retribution • The psalm voices a plea; God decides the timing and means (Psalm 75:7). • Personal retaliation is forbidden, even while we trust God to act (Proverbs 20:22). 3. Crying for justice is legitimate • Imprecatory prayer aligns us with God’s holiness (Revelation 6:10). • We may grieve violence and ask the Lord to judge evil without sinning in personal hatred (Ephesians 4:26-27). 4. Judgment ultimately vindicates the oppressed • Babylon’s fall (539 BC) fulfilled God’s promise, proving His faithfulness (Isaiah 14:4-22). • Final judgment at Christ’s return completes the pattern (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10). 5. The cross holds justice and mercy together • At Calvary, sin was punished fully (Isaiah 53:5). • Those who reject that atonement face the same uncompromising justice Psalm 137:9 foretells (John 3:36). Applying the Passage • Trust God’s timetable when wronged; He will balance the scales. • Channel indignation into worship and witness, not personal revenge. • Rest in the assurance that every cruelty will be answered—either at the cross or in final judgment. |
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