The Banks of Babylon

Psalm 137

On the banks of Babylon I knelt,
by the rivers of sin I sat and wept

when I remembered Zion
when I recalled my youth.

Now, on the poplars of confusion
 I hang the harp of my heart, 

the fickle chords of errant inclinations.

My captor, desire,
has asked for songs of obeisance and sacrifice.

My tormentor, delusion,
has demanded songs of joy saying; Sing! 

Sing songs of  'you deserve happiness'
and 'Didn't God say...?'.

But how can I sing songs while in a foreign land,
 this land of carnal captivity?
Where is the happiness
in chasing worldly tributaries?

How can I sing when my first love
has become my last choice?

If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
If I forget you, O God my saviour-
the lily of my valley, 

the Garden of my God and,
the calling of your holy covenant,

may my right hand forget it's skill,

 may my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth

if I do not remember you,

if I do not consider Jerusalem-
The mountain of my God,
My God himself;

my true home

my true heart

my one desire

my highest joy.

SELAH

*****

You shall have no other Gods before me.

Exodus 20:3

You have forsaken your first love.

Revelation 2:4

"Come now,
let us reason together,"
 says the LORD.
"Though your sins be like scarlet
they shall be as white as snow,
though they be red like crimson
they shall be as white as wool.
If you are willing and obedient
you will eat from the good of the land."
Isaiah 1:18-20