Our Hope By the Rivers of Babylon

In keeping with the latest post’s theme of exile and restoration as the paradigm for Christian engagement with our society I have taken huge liberties with a popular song. (Presented with apologies to Boney M. )

For those of you celebrating Christmas, we wish you a safe and happy time.

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down Ye-eah we wept, when we remembered Zion.

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down Ye-eah we wept, when we remembered Zion.

When the wicked Carried us away in captivity, Required from us a song.

Now how shall we sing the lord’s song in a strange land?

When the wicked Carried us away in captivity, Required from us a song.

Now how shall we sing the lord’s song in a strange land?

We prayed, “Let the words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart

Be acceptable in thy sight here tonight.”

Yet the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts

Remained evil in thy sight every night

To a virgin in Bethlehem, God gave a child, God’s only Son,

Who would deliver Zion.

Even while we were in our sins, Christ died for us, That we may live

In a brand-new Jerusalem.

Christ’s disciples Preached about the end of captivity; A gospel of life renewed.

In Jesus is life forever In a new world.

And this promise  Is for you and your posterity – As many as come to Christ –

Believing in his salvation; And in him as Lord.

Now the words of our mouth And the meditations of our heart

Are acceptable in Thy sight Every night.

By his grace the words of our mouth And the meditations of our heart

Are acceptable in His sight Every night

By the rivers of Babylon We now stand up. And sing of Jesus Who is delivering Zion.