A Bad Hang-Up

Psalms 137:1-4
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land?

Thought For Today:

The children of Israel, while being carried away into captivity, let their music die, and they became discouraged, downhearted, and sad. They had no joy. They had no happiness, pleasure, or delight in what was happening. They were asked to sing an old Zion song. Someone in the crowd must have felt like things would be better if they sang one of the old songs. But instead, they hung their harps on the willow and said, "How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?" Like so many, they failed to realize that God has given us a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness that we might be called trees of righteousness (Isaiah 61:3). They failed to realize that we are told to sing to ourselves psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; making melodies in our hearts unto the Lord (Ephesians 5:18-19; Colossains 3:16). James said that if we are afflicted, then we should pray, but if we are merry, then we should sing songs (James 5:16). I don't know about you, but I'm not about to let those old songs of Zion die nor am I hanging my harp on the willow. But I'm gonna praise the Lord in any way that I can.