(An answer is expected, a request of David)

1 By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept
    when we remembered Zion.
2 There on the poplars
    we hung our harps,
3 for there our captors asked us for songs,
    our tormentors demanded songs of joy;
    they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”

4 How can we sing the songs of the Lord
    while in a foreign land?
5 If I forget you, Jerusalem,
    may my right hand forget its skill.
6 May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth
    if I do not remember you,
if I do not consider Jerusalem
    my highest joy.

7 Remember, Lord, what the Edomites did
    on the day Jerusalem fell.
“Tear it down,” they cried,
    “tear it down to its foundations!”
8 Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction,
    happy is the one who repays you
    according to what you have done to us.
9 Happy is the one who seizes your infants
    and dashes them against the rocks. (Psalm 137, NIV)

As I read the pain written large and small within the lines of Psalm 137 I am reminded of how painful it can be to forgive. Are you able to imagine the singers of this psalm finding any forgiveness in their hearts for their enemies? It has been said it is easier to forgive an enemy than a friend, yet what forgiveness do you see in this psalm?

Is Edom ever going to apologize? Is Babylon ever going to ask forgiveness?

If they did, would the Israelites have forgiven them?

Based on this psalm, and what you know of Israel’s ancient history, what do you think? Is forgiveness a hallmark of this ancient nation of God? Would they have forgiven any nations which took them into captivity?

Dear reader, I am not asking rhetorically.

Please tell me what you think. Email me at hira.david@gmail.com.

Tell me if you think these Israelites can free forgiveness for their captors.

Tell me how to change the infant death wishing of Psalm 137 into lifegiving love.

Tell me why forgiveness is so hard for a nation, for a family, for a single soul.

In the absence of apologies, does forgiveness even matter?

In the absence of forgiveness, do apologies even matter?

Like the psalmist, I am crying out. This is your open door to encourage me.

Tell me what you think, send me that email with your answer.

Tell me the answer which you yourself hated to hear, tell me the answer you love to hear.

Tell me how to answer pained hate with healing love.

Life becomes easier when you learn to accept an apology you never got.