A Psalm for the Angry A Psalm for the Angry Psalm 137

A Lament A psalm in which a person or group is going through hardship and suffering; express their troubles to God; affirm trust in Him A psalm in which a person or group is going through hardship and suffering; express their troubles to God; affirm trust in Him Psalms are poems or songs written TO GOD Psalms are poems or songs written TO GOD This Psalm is about someone crying out to God over Babylonian exile This Psalm is about someone crying out to God over Babylonian exile

The Source of Anger Experience related to exile Experience related to exile Nation split after Solomon’s death Nation split after Solomon’s death – Northern Kingdom called Israel (fell 722 BC) – Southern Kingdom called Judah (fell 586 BC) Final siege described (Lamentations 4) Final siege described (Lamentations 4)

The Source of Anger The Edomites, their relatives, had encouraged the Babylonians to hurt them as much as possible (v.7) (See book of Obadiah) The Edomites, their relatives, had encouraged the Babylonians to hurt them as much as possible (v.7) (See book of Obadiah) In exile, they are taunted by their captors (v.3) In exile, they are taunted by their captors (v.3)

A Psalm for Anger We are told to handle anger for it is a powerful emotion (Ps. 4:4; in the NT— “don’t let the sun go down on your anger”) We are told to handle anger for it is a powerful emotion (Ps. 4:4; in the NT— “don’t let the sun go down on your anger”) The Psalmist is honest about how he feels: The Psalmist is honest about how he feels: – Hurt to the point no song left – Hurt over the taunting of others – Hurt by betrayal of people

A Psalm for Anger He affirms that to which he is most loyal (vv. 5-6) He affirms that to which he is most loyal (vv. 5-6) He is going to act in light of his best identity He is going to act in light of his best identity He comes to rest in God’s justice He comes to rest in God’s justice

A Psalm for Anger The action of v. 9 was common in warfare (2 Kings 8:12; Hosea 10:14;13:16) The action of v. 9 was common in warfare (2 Kings 8:12; Hosea 10:14;13:16) God has promised through Isaiah that retribution will come to the Babylonians in like kind and measure (Is.13:16) (Rom. 12:19) God has promised through Isaiah that retribution will come to the Babylonians in like kind and measure (Is.13:16) (Rom. 12:19)

Completing the Story Rejoice in the cross and the gospel Rejoice in the cross and the gospel – God did not introduce evil into the world but He will use it to His good ends – God did not wipe out all sinners – There was much more than physical death at stake for the human race

Completing the Story We can now rest in three things We can now rest in three things – He is working for our good (Rom. 8:28) – Those who hurt us can be redeemed and for that we should pray – In the end, God will give exact justice (Rom. 12:19)

Completing the Story We can act lovingly toward our enemies We can act lovingly toward our enemies – Romans 12:17 – Love is to will the good; it does always mean we feel good about the situation

Completing the Story We must direct our actions to overcome evil and hurt, anger and hate, by doing good We must direct our actions to overcome evil and hurt, anger and hate, by doing good – Romans 12:21