As By The Streams Of Babylon – Hymn Lyric
As By The Streams Of Babylon: A Reflection on Overcoming Adversity and Finding Strength in Difficult Times The hymn “As by the streams of Babylon” beautifully expresses the anguish and hope of captives forced to leave their beloved Zion. They long for their homeland, their harps lay lifeless on willow trees, and their oppressors mock their pain by demanding them to sing Zion’s songs. Yet, their undying love for Jerusalem and faith in divine justice give them resilience and the power to triumph over their adversities. This hymn teaches us to find strength in our memories, unity, and unwavering determination even in the darkest of times.
Table of Contents
As By The Streams Of Babylon
As by the streams of Babylon
We captives sat with anxious fears;
Then we dear Zion thought upon,
And melted into streams of tears.
Our harps, our instruments of joy,
Which used with cheerful songs to sound,
We hung upon the willow trees
Which on the shaded banks abound.
Because our foes, who all conspired
To triumph in our slavish wrongs;
Music and mirth of us required;
‘Come sing us one of Zion’s songs.’
But, ah! how could we guide our hands
To play, with hearts so full of woes?
Sing Zion’s songs in heathen lands,
JEHOVAH’s hymns to cheer his foes?
O dear Jerusalem! if I
Ever of thee forgetful grow;
Let me the skill of my right hand
Forever wholly cease to know.
Let my tongue to my palate cleave,
If thee remember should not I,
Or don’t prefer Jerusalem,
Above my highest earthly joy,
LORD, Thou remember Edom’s son,
Who on Jerusalem’s sad day,
‘To the foundation raze her!’ cried;
‘Raze, raze her!’ out aloud cried they.
O Babel’s daughter! doomed to fall!
That conqueror shall blessed be,
Who, just as thou hast done to us,
Will do in righteousness to thee!
Yes, he shall blessed be by heaven,
Who shall by heaven employed be,
Upon the stones to dash thy face,
And end thy cruel progeny.
Meaning of As By The Streams Of Babylon – Hymn Lyric
As By The Streams Of Babylon: A Reflection on Overcoming Adversity and Finding Strength in Difficult Times
In the hymn “As by the streams of Babylon,” the feelings of anguish, longing, and hope are vividly expressed. It tells the tale of captives who were taken away from their beloved Zion and forced to reside in a foreign land. The emotional turmoil they experienced is palpable, as they sat by the streams with anxious fears and tears streaming down their faces.
The captives recount how their once joyful and melodic instruments of praise, their harps, now hung lifelessly on the willow trees. These instruments, which were once used to express their delight in worship, now lay dormant in a foreign land. The captives’ oppressors, recognizing their gifts and talents, demanded them to sing the songs of Zion, mocking their pain and forcing them to relive their anguish. But how could they find it within themselves to play and sing with hearts overflowing with woe?
The hymn also speaks of the undying love and loyalty towards Jerusalem or Zion. It implores that if they ever forget Jerusalem, their right hand, symbolizing their abilities and skills, should cease to exist. Such is the depth of their commitment to their homeland. They are so overwhelmed by love for Zion that they would rather lose their abilities than forget their beloved city. Their ardent devotion shines through as they declare Jerusalem to be superior to their highest earthly joy.
In the hymn, there is also a mention of Edom’s son, who, on Jerusalem’s saddest day, called for its destruction. The song warns Babel’s daughter, a representation of the forces that held the captives in captivity, of her inevitable downfall. It is proclaimed that the conqueror who will treat Babel’s daughter with justice and righteousness will be blessed by heaven. The captives’ faith in divine justice prevails as they believe that their oppressors will eventually face the consequences of their actions.
As we delve deeper into the hymn, we find a profound message of resilience in the face of adversity. The captives, despite being in a foreign land and subjected to oppression, cling to their faith and hope for a brighter future. They find solace in their memories of Jerusalem, recalling its significance and treasuring it above all else. The hymn serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, holding onto our values and dreams can be a source of strength and comfort.
This message is relevant to our lives today as we navigate through our own challenges, both big and small. Whether it be personal setbacks, societal issues, or global crises, the hymn’s essence holds true. It teaches us to remember our own “streams of Babylon” and to find solace in our memories and dreams. Just as the captives clung to their faith and hope for Jerusalem, we too can draw strength from our core beliefs and aspirations.
Moreover, the hymn highlights the power of unity and collective strength. Despite their captivity and hardships, the captives stand together as one, sharing their pain and longing for their homeland. Similarly, we are reminded of the importance of coming together as a community, supporting and uplifting one another in times of difficulty. Together, we can navigate through the streams of our own Babylon, finding comfort, resilience, and hope.
In conclusion, “As by the streams of Babylon” is a poignant hymn that encapsulates the emotions of the captives who longed for their beloved Zion. It serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, we can find strength in our memories, faith, and dreams. In the face of adversity, unity and collective resilience can prevail. Let us take inspiration from this hymn to overcome our own challenges and forge ahead with unwavering determination. May we all find solace and strength by the streams of our own Babylon.
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