Someday I may preach a series of sermons called "Bible Passages Too Hot to Handle." A preacher could get burned by getting too close to today's text.

Those of you who are regulars here know that we believe it a good practice for preachers to take, as their texts, biblical passages assigned by the ecumenical lectionary. This links us with the practice of the majority of the church, it provides for continuity, and (usually) preserves you from exposure to the pet peeves and hobby horses of the preacher. But there are passages which even the lectionary, in its three-year cycle of scripture, consistently overlooks. Some omitted passages are boring, or trivial, or both. Some are simply too hot to handle.

Take today's Psalm for instance. It is a tradition to sing Psalm 137 this Sunday in Lent. …