September 4, 2026

Reading Psalms 136 and 137 together stirs up a range of emotions in stark contrast to each other, allowing us to experience a spectrum of gratitude and joy for the enduring mercy and love of God, against a backdrop of complete despair for being removed from Zion and taken captive into Babylon.

While the tunes of these two hymns would be imaginably different - one major, upbeat, and triumphant and the other minor, slow, and longing - both are rooted in deep gratitude for what the Lord has done for His people.

In 137, we hear agony over the loss of Zion, but through the lens of that pain, we hear a plea to never forget the goodness of God, the goodness that was just described in the previous chapter and reiterated every verse, "for His mercy endureth forever".

To me, the message is that we can, and must praise and love the Lord in times of joy and in times of sorrow. He is the bridegroom, we, the bride. We enter an intimate covenant relationship with our Savior; would the standard marriage vows not apply? "In sickness and in health"?

For some, it is easier to sing praises to the Lord when things are going well. 136 is the song of those who remember the Lord in times of plenty. What a blessing, to not let peace breed pride.

For others, it is easier to show gratitude during times of trial. 137 becomes the song of those who appreciate their health and the amazing gift of a body just a little more during times of sickness. What a blessing, to not let tribulation tear us away from the Healer if our souls.

If we can remember God in all circumstances, even if the tunes of gratitude come through different emotions under diverse circumstances, how blessed we will be!