In the Lord I Take Refuge: Daily Devotions Through the Psalms with Dane Ortlund Psalm 137 - How Shall We Sing the Lord's Song?
Nov 11, 2025
Explore the profound themes of lament and memory as the host reads Psalm 137, focusing on the sorrow of exile by Babylon's waters. Delve into the quest for worship amidst grief and the longing for divine justice against oppressors. The discussion highlights the importance of remembering Jerusalem and the deep cry for retribution that resonates through the psalm. With insights on the balance of ferocity and tenderness in Christ, the conversation reveals the Bible's realistic portrayal of God, who offers hope and justice in troubling times.
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Exiles Singing Their Lament
- The ancient people of God sang this psalm while lamenting Babylon's oppression and remembering Zion.
- Dane Ortlund highlights their loyalty to Jerusalem as a concrete expression of faith and hope.
The Bible's Earthy Realism
- The Bible practices earthy realism by naming physical tears and lament without spiritualizing them away.
- Ortlund argues Scripture equips us to speak and pray our tears honestly to God.
Bring Your Tears To God
- Do not adopt a super-spiritual stance that avoids grief; the Bible invites honest lament before God.
- Use Scripture's language to bring your tears and complaints to God rather than hiding them.