Longing for Zion in a Foreign Land
1 By the rivers of Babylon,
There we sat down, yea, we wept
When we remembered Zion.
2 We hung our harps
Upon the willows in the midst of it.
3 For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song,
And those who plundered us requested mirth,
Saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”4 How shall we sing the LORD’s song
In a foreign land?
5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
Let my right hand forget its skill!
6 If I do not remember you,
Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth—
If I do not exalt Jerusalem
Above my chief joy.
- Lord, I am distressed. I mourn for unfulfilled promises and disappointments.
- I cannot praise or sing songs of joy.
- When my friends ask for me to laugh at their jokes and stories, I cannot.
- I feel depressed and blue. My life has taken a deep, dark turn.
- How can I be joyful in my current life situation?
- If I cannot remember Your blessings because of my current sorrow, then my song will not come forth!
- The memory of blessings in Your house are a distant memory.
7 Remember, O LORD, against the sons of Edom
The day of Jerusalem,
Who said, “Raze it, raze it,
To its very foundation!”8 O daughter of Babylon, who are to be destroyed,
Happy the one who repays you as you have served us!
9 Happy the one who takes and dashes
Your little ones against the rock!
- Lord, exact Your judgment and justice upon my enemies.
- May those who have driven me to mourning be punished.
- Avenge my wounds and destroy their work.
- I will rejoice over their demise, and their end will restore my joy.
- I will cheer those who take action against them.
- I am sorrowful for my situation, and I ask for Your grace.
- I know that I must forgive those who injured me as well.
- Allow me the strength to recover and the mercy to forgive my enemies.
- Let Your grace flow to me and through me as I heal and forgive others.
- May the wounded become the healer, and may the child of God rise from the ashes of his or her pain to bless others, even their enemies.
Devoted To You 