Comments on: Psalm 137

By: ozziepete

ozziepete — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:05:45 +0000

Coincidentally, I came across this article discussing the question of what makes music Christian. Is it the composer, the performer, or the meaning the listener gives to the song? http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2008/003/2.59.html

By: Jo H

Jo H — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:00:44 +0000

LOL -M.M. is too scary for even me!
From a different view, could P137(v5,6) be considered a patriotic song for the Isrealites? Like the “Star Spangled Banner” (not just the first verse) or other anthems written during times of war or conflict. Just a thought after reading it again.

By: ozziepete

ozziepete — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:00:34 +0000

Jo, I guess I’m looking for songs that are intended to be Christian. If we wouldn’t sing them in church we’d at least listen to them on a Christian radio station. So an angry Marilyn Manson song wouldn’t count. However, if a particular passage makes you think of another particular song, feel free to share it.

By: Mark Wagner

Mark Wagner — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:10:54 +0000

When I think of anger, I think of an emotion that is like a wild, untamed beast. Anger can be controlled, but only with great difficulty, so we should try to minimize the times we’re in an angry state. Anger is not unlike James’ description of the tongue in James 3:

Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.

I wonder if James didn’t have the emotion of anger on his mind when he wrote the above description of the tongue. Try substituting the word “Anger” for the words “the tongue” in the verses. It sort of fits as a description of anger.

James also says:
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

I think being quick to listen and slow to speak helps us put ourselves in the other person’s shoes and can help to minimize the times we find ourselves in an angry state.

By: Jo H

Jo H — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:49:49 +0000

When I read Lisa’s response it reminded me that there was a time when I had that tip a bit twisted…I put MY shoe ON the other person…or I should say my steel toed combat boot to the other persons shin, and let them “feel” how angry I was. Good thing I don’t do that any more. My current tip for not sinning in anger is to try to stay quiet…since I seem to have replaced my boots for a mouth- which can hurt just as much. I’m still working on this.
Psalm 137 was not one that I’ve really looked at closely before. I tend to cling to familiar verses in times of distress, but I could see where some might find P137 beneficial for them.
Are you only looking for songs about the Psalms from CofC song books? There are alot of songs out there about anger and woe that might apply….