Jerusalem

 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget it's skill.

 - From Psalm 137

And once again, today, the Scripture reference brings to mind a favorite song from way back. In 1978, this version of Rivers of Babylon, by Boney M, received some considerable airplay. Detroit's J.P. McCarthy, of WJR AM-760, had it on his regular playlist for much of the year. This is where I first heard it, and loved it instantly. 

The sentiment stuck with me. This longing for a homeland that had been stolen from us. We had been conquered and dispersed: we, who had enjoyed such freedom and wealth for so many years. We, who had been the world's breadbox, the source of unlimited relief for the world's disasters. We, who had led artistic advancements for centuries, enriching the lives of people all over the globe. 

For whatever reason, Babylon hated us, and as soon as it had the capability, swept across the ancient world and dashed us to ruins, took our spoils, scattered us throughout the known world, and almost wiped us from the history pages, for good. 

Babylon, as powerful as it was, could not have done this without help from some of our countrymen. You have to weaken the culture, the families, the institutions - - - all of that which is the foundation of any great society. Every society has greedy and envious people - even the good ones! They had their own form of hate against us: their brothers, sisters, and neighbors. Because of slights or perceived insults from long ago, they were all too willing to participate in bringing us low, destroying our freedoms and quality of life along with our wealth. The impact was also to harm countries throughout the world that relied on us for protection and markets. 

We hear beautiful songs like The Rivers of Babylon, and find in its inspiration, a misplaced desire to have what they had - - - epic and heroic experiences that led to such songs of aspiration and hope. 

But that too is misplaced. 

You should never want the destruction of your own society. You should never want ruin for your own kin, your own neighbors, your own people. 

It's better to live in a free and prosperous land . . . than to have to remember what it was like.