Have you ever read a Bible verse that made you uncomfortable or confused? You’re not alone.
Many people find some Bible verses difficult to understand. This is true for both believers and non-believers.
Some verses seem cruel or violent. Others seem to contradict the idea of a loving God.
In this post, we’re going to dive deep into one of the most controversial verses in the Bible: Psalm 137:9. We will examine the background of challenging Bible verses. We will explore the various meanings of these verses. We will also introduce a perspective that may change your understanding of them.
Violence in the Bible
Let’s start by looking at the verse that’s causing so much trouble:
“Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.” – Psalm 137:9
At first glance, this verse is deeply disturbing. It seems to celebrate violence against innocent children, which goes against everything we understand about morality and compassion. This leads many people to ask difficult questions:
- How can a holy book contain such violent imagery?
- Is the Bible truly the word of God if it includes verses like this?
- How can we reconcile this with the idea of a loving, merciful God?
These are valid questions that deserve thoughtful consideration. Let’s explore some of the ways people have tried to make sense of this challenging verse.
Common Explanations for Difficult Bible Verses
Over the years, scholars, theologians, and everyday readers have proposed various explanations for verses like Psalm 137:9. Here are some of the most common approaches:
- The Venting Theory: Some argue that this psalm is simply the writer expressing raw, unfiltered emotions of anger and grief. They say it’s not meant to be taken as a command or approval from God, but rather as an honest portrayal of human emotions in times of extreme distress. Pros: This explanation acknowledges the human element in scripture and the reality of difficult emotions. Cons: It doesn’t address why such violent imagery would be included in a holy text meant to guide believers.
- The Editing Mistake Theory: Others suggest that verses like this might be the result of transcription errors or poor editing over the centuries. They argue that perhaps this wasn’t originally part of the inspired text. Pros: This theory tries to maintain the integrity of the Bible as a whole while explaining away problematic passages. Cons: It raises questions about the reliability of scripture and doesn’t provide a clear way to determine which parts are “authentic” and which aren’t.
- The Divine Command Theory: Some believers argue that if God commanded or approved something in the Bible, it must be moral by definition, even if it seems wrong to our human understanding. Pros: This view maintains a high view of God’s sovereignty and the authority of scripture. Cons: It can lead to moral relativism and conflicts with Jesus’ teachings about loving enemies and showing mercy.
While each of these explanations offers some insights, they all have significant drawbacks. Fortunately, there’s another approach that might provide a more satisfying answer.
Looking Deeper with Emanuel Swedenborg
In the 18th century, a Swedish scientist and theologian named Emanuel Swedenborg proposed a radically different way of reading the Bible. His approach offers a unique perspective on difficult verses like Psalm 137:9.
Who was Emanuel Swedenborg?
Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772) was a fascinating figure in history. He was:
- A respected scientist and inventor, making significant contributions to multiple fields
- A member of the Swedish nobility and parliament
- A prolific writer on spiritual and theological topics
In his mid-50s, Swedenborg experienced what he described as a spiritual awakening. He claimed that God had opened his spiritual senses, allowing him to perceive the spiritual world and understand hidden meanings within the Bible.
While some dismiss Swedenborg’s experiences as hallucinations, his writings have influenced thinkers, artists, and spiritual seekers for centuries. Regardless of what we make of his claims, his approach to scripture offers an intriguing way to grapple with difficult Bible passages.
The Bible as a Divine Code
Swedenborg taught that the Bible, or “the Word of God,” is more than just a historical or moral text. He saw it as a divine code, containing layer upon layer of spiritual meaning.
According to Swedenborg, in the most ancient times, people had a direct perception of spiritual realities. They could understand divine truths by observing nature and their own experiences. However, as humanity became more focused on external, material concerns, they lost this innate spiritual perception.
To preserve spiritual knowledge, ancient people began writing it down in symbolic form. This gave rise to various mythologies and sacred texts.
The Bible we have today, according to Swedenborg, is written in this symbolic language. Its stories, characters, and even its seemingly violent passages all contain deeper spiritual meanings. When we read these symbolic stories, even if we don’t fully understand their deeper meanings, they serve as a bridge between our natural world and the spiritual realm.
If you’re interested in exploring this further, check out Swedenborg’s Secrets of Heaven series where the deeper meaning of the Bible is exposed.
Why Use Symbols? The Purpose of Biblical Imagery
You might wonder why God would choose to communicate through symbols rather than just stating things plainly. Swedenborg offered several reasons:
- Deep spiritual truths, if stated plainly, might be misunderstood or misused by those not ready to receive them. Symbols serve as a protective covering.
- Symbolic language allows the Bible to speak to people across different cultures, times, and individual spiritual states.
- Pondering the meaning of symbols engages our minds and hearts, promoting spiritual growth and insight.
- Symbols can contain multiple layers of meaning, allowing for endless exploration and discovery as we grow spiritually.
This symbolic approach to scripture offers a new way to understand challenging Bible passages. What does Psalm 137:9 mean? Let’s explore the deeper meaning in the next section.
Decoding Psalm 137:9
Using Swedenborg’s approach, let’s break down the symbolism in Psalm 137:9:
In the Bible, Babylon often represents the love of domination, especially using religion or spirituality to control others. It symbolizes the ego’s desire for power and control.
In this passage’s context, infants or babies symbolize new ideas or thoughts that arise from the Babylonian mindset. They’re “young” or undeveloped justifications for dominating others.
Rocks represent either fundamental truths or fundamental falsities. In this context, they symbolize the false principle that it is acceptable to use religion to dominate people.
The violent imagery of dashing against the rocks symbolizes how false justifications will ultimately self-destruct.
Putting this all together, we get a profoundly different inner meaning:
“Religious domination, doomed to destruction, happy are we when it is overcome. Happy are we when its false justifications have been eradicated – in ourselves and in the world.” – Psalm 137:8-9
Watch our recent YouTube video to dive more deeply into this passage:
What Can We Learn from Psalm 137?
Viewed through this symbolic lens, Psalm 137:9 isn’t about literal violence against children. Instead, it’s teaching us about the importance of:
- Self-examination: Watch out for desires to use religion in a dominating or controlling way.
- Spiritual vigilance: Be on alert for any budding false ideas that justify domination.
- Truth-seeking: Recognize the harmful and self-destructive nature of dominating desires and thoughts.
- Spiritual growth: Find joy in the process of overcoming our lower nature.
This interpretation aligns much more closely with the overall message of love, compassion, and spiritual growth found throughout the Bible.
Applying This Approach in Our Lives
Learning to read the Bible this way takes practice and an open mind. Here are some practical steps you can take:
Read with an open heart. Approach the text with a willingness to see beyond the literal meaning.
Look for patterns. Notice recurring themes, symbols, and imagery throughout the Bible.
Consider the spiritual. Ask yourself what each element in a story might represent spiritually.
Apply it personally. Reflect on how the symbolic meaning might apply to your own life and spiritual journey.
Stay humble. Remember that there’s always more to learn and discover.
When you encounter a difficult or controversial Bible verse, try asking:
- What might each element in this verse symbolize?
- What spiritual principle or truth might this be teaching?
- How can I apply this understanding to my own spiritual growth?
A New Way of Reading Scripture
Controversial Bible verses like Psalm 137:9 don’t have to be stumbling blocks in our spiritual journey. By adopting a symbolic approach, as suggested by Emanuel Swedenborg, we can often uncover profound spiritual lessons in even the most challenging passages.
This method of interpretation offers a way to reconcile difficult verses with the idea of a loving God. It provides a deeper, more personally applicable understanding of scripture, while encouraging ongoing spiritual growth and discovery.
Of course, this approach isn’t without its challenges. It requires us to think deeply, question our assumptions, and remain open to new insights. But for many, it offers a satisfying way to engage with the entire Bible as a source of spiritual wisdom.
What do you think about this symbolic approach to understanding the Bible? Does it help you see Psalm 137:9 and other difficult verses in a new light? Remember, questioning and exploring are essential parts of spiritual growth. By wrestling with these challenging texts, we open ourselves to deeper understanding and more profound spiritual insights.
