The people of Israel were in Babylon because God was punishing their sin. They were unfaithful to the LORD and would be in exile for seventy years. Meanwhile, the people remembered Zion. Though they were tormented by their uncaring captors, they could not forget Jerusalem. The Babylonians enjoyed listening to the songs the Israelites sang, but they could never know the depth of pain they experienced, being cut off from their land and cut off from their God. The Israelites were in a foreign land, but they still considered Jerusalem their highest joy. They still considered the LORD as worthy of their songs of praise.

The exiles remembered how they were despised and humiliated, not only by the Babylonians, but also by the neighboring countries. The Israelites were powerless to do anything, but they could pray. They entrusted to the LORD all of their deepest agonies. They put their hope in God and prayed that he would avenge himself on their enemies in his way and his time.


Application: Lord, heal my sinful heart. Help me to remember your beauty and sing with hope in your faithfulness.
One Word: Sing the LORD's song