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How can someone say that Psalm 137.9 supports abortion?
Reading the verses just before verse 9, it looks as if someone is miserable about being carried off into slavery by the Babylonians. Then they hope they won't forget their homeland and Jerusalem. Then they remind God what the Edomites said as they tore down the temple. Then in anger, they address their captors, the Babylonians: "Happy the man who repays you for all you did to us!" then going on-- over the top-- as a persecuted slave may be inclined to, "Happy is he who shall siezeyour children and dash them against the rock"
Someone said it, in anger and frustration, probably rhetorically, to the Babylonians. It does not seem to be the word of God to anyone.
People still believed in "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth...' back then.
Jesus came to correct that idea. Check out Matthew 5:21-22 regarding murder and anger, and Matthew 5:38-48 regarding retaliation and forgiveness.
And before someone quotes Matt 19:14 from the King James Bible out of context "But Jesus said, 'Suffer little children. . ." as if that means God wants little children to suffer, first remember that the KJV was translated at about the same time Shakespeare was producing plays. Language changes. Then read the whole section in a modern translation.
Also remember that the Bible has a history. It was assembled over a time of many centuries.
It's a record of how God revealed his existence to people and how they responded-- or didn't.
Or, if you're atheist, how humans concocted a god to justify their concept of a moral law-giver, and has some nice irrelevant ideas and some disgusting stories in it.
Nonetheless, much of our current civilization is a result of people reading or misreading it.
@ Maurog IV: interesting point. The Jews ended up as captives in Babylon as a result of their kings leading and/or allowing the people to disrespect the law they knew they were supposed to obey. The psalm reflects the lament, frustration and anger the Jews felt in captivity. It shows how the behavior of a people brings consequences that bring suffering. It serves as an example of how people might feel when their internal moral weakness leads to their downfall as a nation.
Have you ever, in a moment of anger or frustration, thought of doing something you'd normally consider stupid? Have you ever wished someone would cause harm to another person or group that has harmed you? Then you realize if that happened, only more trouble would ensue, it wouldn't solve the basic problem: People need to respect one another, and the laws of their society in order to "ensure domestic tranquility."
The words spoken do not condone genocide, abortion or any kind of killing. They express some of the imper
The words express some of the imperfection inherent in human nature. Yet, for sane, law-abiding people, something tells us not to act on the impulse. Find a better solution. Life goes on in a civilized society.
7 Answers
- kickindevilbuttLv 710 years agoFavorite Answer
Atheists ADD the part about God commanding it.
Psalm 137:9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.
Ok Atheists take a good look at this verse. Now, just using this verse where does it say anything about God or the Lord commanding dashing babies against stones?
Atheists, take your time. I am sure if you twist it enough you will be able to find God in there some where. Maybe, oh rearrange a few letters?
Ok, so obviously it isnt there. Oh but wait...what about the other verses in the Psalm? Surely God commanded it somewhere in there?
Let's see.
Psalm 137
1By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. (Anything here? Hmm. Nope.)
2We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. (Here? Not yet.)
3For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. (Maybe here? Nope.)
4How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land? (Here? Nah.)
5If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. (Perhaps here? No.)
6If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. (Here? No.)
7Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof. (Perhaps here? No.)
8O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us. (Maybe it's here? No.)
9Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones. (Here? Nope.)
Oh darn! Doesn't that stink Atheists?! No where in the ENTIRE Psalm does God command us to dash babies against stones. In fact He doesnt even speak in the entire Psalm. Well, well, well isn't that somethin'?
Let's see what happens when we take the last two verses and get rid of their numbers.
O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us. Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.
Isn't that interesting? Guess that wipes out the whole idea of God supporting abortion/genocide with this verse/Psalm. Maybe next time Atheists will learn to read things in context? Right, that will happen when pigs fly.
- PeterLv 610 years ago
I read the portion.
Perhaps other pwople choose to dop that to our flesh and children.
Did people suffer personal takeovers as some try them today?
All sorts of things happen with kids. As parents we can become angry with them.
Recalling the time of Moses birth and that of Jesus Christ and the slaughter of infants.
Does that make God responsible for that also?
I would think not.
Do people have sexual experiences to find out what otehrs do with their kids.
Children can be a very challenging thing .
Source(s): With history being altered to the extent we have seen it in ways, to those that would admit that..from young to old are treated as abortions in terms of death sentnces duye to age,and other factors. - TruthtellerLv 710 years ago
It is another example of people deceiving their own selves by taking things out of context, and not understanding that it is not possible to rightly divide the Word of Truth with a carnal mind.
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- 7 years ago
"Jesus came to correct that idea?" “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
