Sermons / October 12, 2025 // Psalm 137

Date: October 12, 2025 Theme: The Blessed ones confront injustice with God’s justice. Passage: Psalm 137   Notice the movement from injustice to God’s justice within Psalm 137: 1. Predicament (1–4) a. Absolute Devastation (1) b. Arrogant Taunting (3) c. Inability to Express Joy (2, 4) 2. Resolve (5–6) a. Remember God’s plan b. Look to God’s work as source of joy 3. Request (7–9) a. “Remember what they did” b. “Repay them in kind”   Main Idea: When one’s world comes undone by the unjust actions of others, the blessed ones turn to God for their vindication.   Application: 1. Leave vengeance in God’s hands. 2. Bring your most hateful desires to God. 3. Remind yourself of God’s fuller revelation: a. You will be mistreated as a follower of Jesus (Matt. 10:22). b. Final justice comes at Christ’s return (Rev. 19:15). c. Show love to your enemies (Matt. 5:44). d. Our struggle is against spiritual powers of darkness (Eph. 6:12). 4. Hold out the (in)justice of the cross.    Application Questions: ·     What emotions do you see expressed in this psalm? What does this psalm demonstrate we are to do with these emotions? ·     Given the graphic nature and disturbing content of the call for justice within this psalm, should we as Christians pray this way today? Why or why not? ·     How does the movement from devastation—resolve—request for retribution help us understand the reasoning behind the request and statement of blessing in vv. 8–9? ·     How does the cross provide clarity and enable us to witness in the face of mistreatment and persecution?