The Bible Records, but Doesn’t Always Endorse

2022-06-22

Have you ever heard that the Bible endorses slavery, genocide, or some other atrocity? These things are usually spoken by those trying to discredit the Bible or Christianity. However, the Bible records a lot of events, but does not necessarily endorse those things. Here is a common verse that is usually pointed out by critics:

Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones. (Psalm 137:9)

Then the critic will use this to dismiss the entire Bible. Though the Bible records this, it does not mean that it endorses it. You must read the context to figure this out, in this case, the entire psalm.

Here is the synopsis of Psalm 137 with some historical context: The Babylonians had destroyed Jerusalem and carried the people to Babylon. This was because of the sins of the people. Many died in the conflict and journey. The neighboring country of Edom was cheering the Babylonians on while this happened. These same Babylonians then expected the people to sing the happy songs of their homeland. Do you think that these people, who suffered extreme trauma at the hands of these Babylonians, are eager to sing those happy songs about their recently destroyed homes and country?

The psalmist knew something of God’s will to destroy Babylon sometime in the future. Whether he knew this was the Medes or not, he doesn’t say: “O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us” (Psalm 137:8). The Babylonians would experience the same thing that the Jews experienced. What exactly was that? Read the next verse. “Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.”

There are two things to observe here. First, the Babylonians were happy when they destroyed the Jews’ children. The same thing would happen to them in return. Second, there is a bit of sarcasm and frustration here. Are they supposed to be happy after the trauma they experienced? Maybe you, Babylon, would be happy if this were to happen to you?

Always read the context of a verse before jumping to conclusions.