Psalms 137:1-9 - F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Bible Study & Commentary

Verses 1-9

Loyalty in Adversity

It seems as if the exiles had withdrawn from the city, with its distractions, to some natural retreat beside the Euphrates. They had brought their harps with them, but had not the heart to touch their chords. Songs were choked by sobs. Suddenly a band of insolent revelers broke in on the scene, demanding one of those Temple songs for which Hebrew minstrelsy was famed.

But the Lord’s song was possible only in the Lord’s house. To be separated from the Temple seemed to the Jews like separation from God. When we have been led captive by our sins and have lost the sense of God’s presence, we, too, lose the spring of holy joy. Let us make not Jerusalem, but the glory and interests of Christ’s kingdom, our chief joy. The closing imprecation on Edom reminds one of Jeremiah 49:7-22 ; Lamentations 4:2 ; Lamentations 4:22 ; Ezekiel 25:12-14 . We can understand it, but we must remember that we belong to another covenant. See Luke 9:54 , r.v., margin; Romans 12:20 .

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary

Be the first to react on this!

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary

Frederick Brotherton Meyer was born in London. He attended Brighton College and graduated from the University of London in 1869. He studied theology at Regent's Park College, Oxford and began pastoring churches in 1870. His first pastorate was at Pembroke Baptist Chapel in Liverpool. In 1872 he pastored Priory Street Baptist Church in York. While he was there he met the American evangelist Dwight L. Moody, whom he introduced to other churches in England. The two preachers became lifelong friends.Other churches he pastored were Victoria Road Church in Leicester (1874-1878), Melbourne Hall in Leicester (1878- 1888) and Regent's Park Chapel in London (1888-1892). In 1895 Meyer went to Christ Church in Lambeth. At the time only 100 people attended the church, but within two years over 2,000 were regularly attending. He stayed there for fifteen years, and then began traveling to preach at conferences and evangelistic services. His evangelistic tours included South Africa and Asia. He also visited the United States and Canada several times.He spent the last few years of his life working as a pastor in England's churches, but still made trips to North America, including one he made at age 80.Meyer was part of the Higher Life Movement and was known as a crusader against immorality. He preached against drunkenness and prostitution. He is said to have brought about the closing of hundreds of saloons and brothels.Meyer wrote over 40 books, including Christian biographies and devotional commentaries on the Bible. He, along with seven other clergymen, was also a signatory to the London Manifesto asserting that the Second Coming was imminent in 1918. His works include The Way Into the Holiest:, Expositions on the Epistle to the Hebrews (1893) ,The Secret of Guidance, Our Daily Homily and Christian Living.This commentary is a devotional and/or "how to apply the Bible to your life" in nature. The comments are concise but nearly every verse in the Bible is covered, with the exception of 1 Chronicles and parts of Numbers.... Show more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer, a contemporary and friend of D. L. Moody and A. C. Dixon, was a Baptist pastor and evangelist in England involved in ministry and inner city mission work on both sides of the Atlantic.... Show more

Scroll to Top

Group of Brands