Praising Scripture - Dec 09

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 87:1-7
（Memorization Scripture 1-3）
1 His foundation is in the holy mountains.
2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion
More than all the dwellings of Jacob.
3 Glorious things are spoken of you,
O city of God! Selah
4 “I will make mention of Rahab
And Babylon to those who know Me;
Behold, O Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia:
‘This one was born there.’”
5 And of Zion it will be said,
“This one and that one were born in her;
And the Most High Himself shall establish her.”
6 The Lord will record,
When He registers the peoples:
“This one was born there.” Selah
7 Both the singers and the players on instruments say,
“All my springs are in you.”

【Reflection】The Lord loves Zion. The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Zion, where the throne of the house of David is located, is the place where God rules. It is the place of presence for both the throne and the will of God. The place where David prepared and pitched a tent for God’s ark, Zion is God’s dwelling place. It is where God is present.

Marvelously we see that in Zion it is both the Israelites chosen by God as well as Gentiles: Rahab, Babylon, Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia who were born there. One day, the Lord will record when He registers the people from all of these different places. This really portrays John 3:16 - that God so loved the world that through His salvation everyone can now become a citizen of Zion.

Hallelujah, praise the Lord! We foreigners, who ought not be part or portion of His glory can now be citizens of Zion. We can now sing and dance, rejoice and say that “all of my springs are in You.” May we live in the reality of being citizens of Zion: longing for His presence, willing to let God command our lives, and letting the Spirit flow!

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 87:1-7
(背誦經文:1-3)
1 耶和華所立的根基在聖山上。
2 祂愛錫安的門，勝於愛雅各一切的住處。
3 神的城啊，有榮耀的事乃指著你說的。〔細拉〕
4 我要提起拉哈伯和巴比倫人，是在認識我之中的；
看哪，非利士和推羅並古實人，個個生在那裡。
5 論到錫安，必說：這一個那一個都生在其中。
而且至高者必親自堅立這城。」
6 當耶和華記錄萬民的時候，祂要點出這一個生在那裡。〔細拉〕
7 歌唱的、跳舞的都要說：「我的泉源都在祢裡面。」

【心得分享】 耶和華 神喜愛錫安，祂愛錫安的門，勝於愛雅各一切的住處。因為大衛的寶座設立在錫安 - 錫安是 神掌權的地方，是 神的寶座所在之處，是 神的旨意可以通行的地方；而且大衛的帳幕及約櫃在錫安 - 錫安也是 神的居所，是神同在的地方。
而更奇妙的是在錫安的城內，除了 神所揀選的以色列人之外，拉哈伯人，巴比倫人，非利士人，推羅人，和古實人也生在那裡；有一天，耶和華 神還要在其中來記錄萬民。這實在是舊約中的約翰福音3:16 - 神愛世人。今天，我們每一個人都可以藉著耶穌基督的救恩成為錫安的子民。
哈利路亞，讚美 神！我們這些原本與 神的榮耀無份無關的外邦人，如今可以成為錫安的子民，我們可以唱著，跳著，歡樂地說：我們的泉源也都在祢裡面！讓我們也活出錫安子民的實際：愛慕 神的同在，願意讓 神在我們的生命、生活中掌權，甘心讓 神的旨意通行在我們身上！

Praising Scripture - Dec 08

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 19:7-11
（Memorization Scripture 9-11）
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.

【Reflection】When David spoke of the revealed word of the Lord, his tongue was the pen of a skillful writer. He used six different terms to speak of God’s word: the law, the testimony, the statues, the commandment, the fear, the judgements; then he used six different adjectives to describe God's word: perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, and true. What’s more, he explained the function of God's word from six different aspects: converting the soul, making wise the simple, rejoicing the heart, enlightening the eyes, enduring forever, and righteous altogether. Such wonderful words are indeed more precious than gold, sweeter than honey!

But the word of the Lord is not only about the above mentioned benefits. More importantly, it confirms we belong to him and in keeping His commands, there is great reward. Thus, we all shall praise Him for such precious words of promises and blessings.

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 19:7-11
(背誦經文:9-11)
7 耶和華的律法全備，能甦醒人心；耶和華的法度確定，能使愚人有智慧；
8 耶和華的訓詞正直，能快活人的心；耶和華的命令清潔，能明亮人的眼目；
9 耶和華的道理潔淨，存到永遠；耶和華的典章真實，全然公義。
10 都比金子可羨慕，且比極多的精金可羨慕；比蜜甘甜，且比蜂房下滴的蜜甘甜。
11 況且祢的僕人因此受警戒，守著這些便有大賞。

【心得分享】當大衛講到 神向我們所啟示的話語的時候，他的舌頭實在是快手筆。他用六個不同的名詞來講到神的話語：「律法」，「法度」，「訓詞」，「命令」，「道理」，和「典章」；又用六個不同的詞來形容 神的話語：「全備」，「確定」，「正直」，「清潔」，「潔淨」，和「真實「；更從六個不同的方面講到了 神話語的功用：「能甦醒人心」，「能使愚人有智慧」，「能快活人的心」，「能明亮人的眼目」，「存到永遠，和「全然公義」。這麼奇妙的話語，實在比極多的精金可羨慕，也比蜂房下滴的蜜甘甜！但 神所有向我們說的話，不只是上面提到的這些好處，更是用來警戒我們這些屬祂的人，凡遵守祂命令的便有「大賞」。
藉著這首詩歌, 願我們也都看到 神話語的豐富和寶貴! 讓我們因為得以從 神領受這麼寶貝的話語都來感謝讚美祂!

Praising Scripture - Dec 07

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 119:105-112
（Memorization Scripture 105-108）
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path.
106 I have sworn and confirmed, That I will keep Your righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.
108 Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, And teach me Your judgments.
109 My life is continually in my hand,Yet I do not forget Your law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me,Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts.
111 Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever,For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes,Forever, to the very end.

【Reflection】 In the eyes of the psalmist, the revealed word of the Lord is extremely precious as it is his heritage forever and the joy of his heart. The Lord’s words are the righteous law and the light in which we walk in this dark world. Therefore, the psalmist not only took an oath to keep the word of God, but also confirmed that he would keep it no matter the cost.

When we follow God's word in this dark world, we will often encounter battles since the wicked have set a snare for us and our lives are constantly at risk. Yet, we know that when we walk in His word He will preserve our lives according to His word.

Therefore, we hope that we, like the psalmist, will keep the word of God and consider His word as the lamp to our feet and the light for our path every day. Even when we encounter difficulties in obeying the word of God, we can willingly praise Him with our mouths and live according to His precepts. Let us commit to setting our hearts on keeping the Lord’s decrees to the very end!

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 119:105-112
(背誦經文:105-108)
105 祢的話是我腳前的燈，是我路上的光。
106 祢公義的典章，我曾起誓遵守，我必按誓而行。
107 我甚是受苦。耶和華啊，求祢照祢的話將我救活。
108 耶和華啊，求祢悅納我口中的讚美為供物，
又將祢的典章教訓我。
109 我的性命常在危險之中，我卻不忘記祢的律法。
110 惡人為我設下網羅，我卻沒有偏離祢的訓詞。
111 我以祢的法度為永遠的產業，因這是我心中所喜愛的。
112 我的心專向祢的律例，永遠遵行，一直到底。

【心得分享】 在詩人的眼中，耶和華所啟示的話語極其寶貴，是他永遠的產業，也是他心中所喜愛的。祂的話語是公義的典章，也是我們在這個黑暗的世界中行走的亮光。因此詩人不僅僅起誓遵守 神的話語，也按誓而行，無論付代價多大。
當我們在這個黑暗的世界中按著 神的話語而行的時候，我們常常會遭遇爭戰 - 惡人為我們設下網羅，我們的性命常在危險之中。但我們相信，當我們遵照祂的話語而行的時候， 神也會照祂的話將我們救活。
因此，盼望我們像詩人一樣，持守 神的話語，認定祂的話是我們腳前的燈，是我們路上的光。即使因著遵行 神的話而遭遇難處，也要用口來讚美耶和華，並且不偏離 神的訓詞，永遠遵行，一直到底！

Praising Scripture - Dec 06

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 34:1-7
（Memorization Scripture 1-3）
A Psalm of David when he pretended madness before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.
1 I will bless the Lord at all times;His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed.
6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,And delivers them.

【Reflection】Today’s psalm is written by David when he feigned madness before Abimelech and was driven away. David fled from Saul and went to Gath but there was someone who recognized David as the warrior who once defeated them so David was very much afraid of Abimelech and had to pretend he was insane in order to escape.

After all these troubles and humiliations, David learned that God would camp around him and rescue him, even if his circumstances were dangerous. God heard the calling of poor men, and saved them out of all their fears and troubles! Rather than being afraid of others, the Lord is the One whom we should really fear.

Therefore, David said, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.” David too invites us today to come up to God humbly with him, to glorify the Lord, and exalt His name together!

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 34:1-7
(背誦經文:1-3)
大衛在亞比米勒面前裝瘋，被他趕出去，就作這詩。
1 我要時時稱頌耶和華，讚美祂的話必常在我口中。
2 我的心必因耶和華誇耀，謙卑人聽見，就要喜樂。
3 你們和我當稱耶和華為大，一同高舉祂的名。
4 我曾尋求耶和華，祂就應允我，救我脫離了一切的恐懼。
5 凡仰望祂的便有光榮，他們的臉必不蒙羞。
6 我這困苦人呼求，耶和華便垂聽，救我脫離一切患難。
7 耶和華的使者在敬畏祂的人四圍安營，搭救他們。

【心得分享】 今天的詩篇是大衛在非利士王亞比米勒面前裝瘋，被他趕出去時所作的詩篇。大衛因著害怕掃羅的追殺而逃到迦特，然而在那裡卻有人認出大衛是曾經打敗他們這些非利士人的勇士，因此大衛又開始懼怕亞比米勒，只好在眾人面前假裝瘋癲才得以逃離。
在經過這一切的患難和羞辱之後，大衛學習到即使他的環境再險惡，耶和華 神都會在他四圍安營，搭救他。耶和華垂聽困苦人的呼求，救他們脫離一切的恐懼和患難！比起對人的懼怕，耶和華才是真正值得我們敬畏的那一位。
因此，大衛說「我要時時稱頌耶和華，讚美祂的話必常在我口中。」大衛也邀請我們和他一同謙卑地來到 神面前稱頌讚美祂、高舉 神的名！

Praising Scripture - Dec 05

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 69:30-36
（Memorization Scripture 30-31,34-36）
30 I will praise the name of God with a song,
And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.
31 This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bull,
Which has horns and hooves.
32 The humble shall see this and be glad;
And you who seek God, your hearts shall live.
33 For the Lord hears the poor,
And does not despise His prisoners.
34 Let heaven and earth praise Him,
The seas and everything that moves in them.
35 For God will save Zion and build the cities of Judah,
That they may dwell there and possess it.
36 Also, the descendants of His servants shall inherit it,
And those who love His name shall dwell in it.

【Reflection】This psalm is one of the most quoted in the New Testament. This lament starts with David pressing for God's grace and deliverance in suffering and persecution. Like many prayer psalms, David knew by faith that his prayer had been heard by God, and thus he gave "a praise offering" to God with gratitude saying, "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the Lord more than an ox or bull, which has horns and hooves". The poet not only praised the Lord himself, but also appealed to all the humble, those seeking God, the poor, and the prisoners to come to praise the Lord. Including all creations and all the earth, all shall praise the Lord, for He will keep all who love His name to dwell in Zion and Judah for generations. Amen! May all of us have the same spiritual knowledge and worship experience in this year of difficult circumstances.

Here we can see that when the poet dedicated his "praises as an offering" to God. He is delighted and is better than any purchased gift. We also see that praising the name of God will help us face our difficulties, for His name is above all names. Therefore, we learn to praise the name of the Almighty God by faith while we face hardships so that we experience God managing all circumstances for us and leading us to victory through Him. Just like David did!

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 69:30-36
(背誦經文:30-31, 34-36)
30 我要以詩歌讚美 神的名， 以感謝稱祂為大。
31 這便叫耶和華喜悅，勝似獻牛，或是獻有角有蹄的公牛。
32 謙卑的人看見了，就喜樂。尋求 神的人，願你們的心甦醒。
33 因為耶和華聽了窮乏人，不藐視被囚的人。
34 願天和地，洋海和其中一切的動物，都讚美祂。
35 因為 神要拯救錫安，建造猶大的城邑，祂的民要在那裡居住，得以為業。
36 祂僕人的後裔要承受為業，愛祂名的人也要住在其中。

【心得分享】 本詩是新約裡被引述最多的詩篇之一。本哀歌始於大衛在苦難、逼迫中，迫切呼求 神施恩、拯救。就像許多的祈禱詩，大衛在信心裡知道他的禱告已蒙 神垂聽，便以感恩的心向 神獻上讚美的祭，說「我要以詩歌讚美 神的名，以感謝稱祂為大。這便叫耶和華喜悅，勝似獻牛，或是獻有角有蹄的公牛。」詩人不僅自己讚美 神，更呼籲所有謙卑的人、尋求 神的人、窮乏人、被囚的人都一同起來讚美耶和華，包括一切受造之物、以及全地都要來讚美 神，因為祂必保守一切愛祂名的人，世世代代都能住在錫安和猶大的城邑。阿門！相信在當下特別的環境中，我們也都會有這樣的看見和讚美的經歷。
在這裡我們看到當詩人誠摯地以 「讚美為祭」 獻給 神時，這是 神所喜悅的，而且勝過獻上一切昂貴的祭物；我們也看到讚美耶和華的名，可以使我們超越一切的困境，因為祂的名超乎萬名之上。所以，我們在各樣的艱難中要學習憑信讚美 神全能的名，使我們可以像大衛一樣，經歷 神帶領我們靠主得勝，將哀歌變為讚歌。

Praising Scripture - Dec 04

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 138:1-8
（Memorization Scripture 6-8）
1 I will praise You with my whole heart;
Before the gods I will sing praises to You.
2 I will worship toward Your holy temple,
And praise Your name
For Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.
3 In the day when I cried out, You answered me,
And made me bold with strength in my soul.
4 All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O Lord,
When they hear the words of Your mouth.
5 Yes, they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
For great is the glory of the Lord.
6 Though the Lord is on high, Yet He regards the lowly;
But the proud He knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;
You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me.
8 The Lord will perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

【Reflection】This beautiful psalm of David centers on a pretty amazing wish - that all the kings of the earth would praise the Lord in response to hearing His words! Wrapped around this hope is King David’s own praise which comes from both who God is (name, lovingkindness, truth, great in glory, mercy that endures forever) and the wonderful things which He has done. Chief among these wondrous works is God’s faithfulness in answering prayer which has made His name and promises more precious than all that even a king could possess.

Today, there are many gods and kings zealous to steal our praise that belongs only to Jesus Christ. As you read David’s words, can you respond with him in praise for our great God’s abundant goodness towards you? Praise Him for all the ways He has answered prayers, shown you lovingkindness, strengthened you, and in the throes of trials has revived, defended, saved, and fulfilled His purpose for you (“The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me”).

May we praise God today, looking forward to that amazing day when all the kings of the earth will bring their glory into the New Jerusalem. (Rev. 21:24)

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 138:1-8
(背誦經文:6-8)
1 我要一心稱謝祢，在諸 神面前歌頌祢。
2 我要向祢的聖殿下拜，為祢的慈愛和誠實稱讚祢的名；
因祢使祢的話顯為大，過於祢所應許的。
3 我呼求的日子，祢就應允我，鼓勵我，使我心裡有能力。
4 耶和華啊，地上的君王都要稱謝祢，因他們聽見了祢口中的言語。
5 他們要歌頌耶和華的作為，因耶和華大有榮耀。
6 耶和華雖高，仍看顧低微的人，祂卻從遠處看出驕傲的人。
7 我雖行在患難中，祢必將我救活。我的仇敵發怒，祢必伸手抵擋他們，祢的右手也必救我。
8 耶和華必成全關乎我的事。耶和華啊，祢的慈愛永遠長存，求祢不要離棄祢手所造的。

【心得分享】大衛這首優美的讚美詩以一個十分令人驚奇的盼望為中心——地上所有的君王都要讚美 神，因他們聽見祂口中的言語。圍繞這一願望的是大衛王自己對 神的所是（祂的名、慈愛、誠實、大有榮耀、永遠長存的慈愛）和祂的奇妙作為所發出的讚美。而 神的奇妙作為首先便是祂在回應禱告上的信實，因此祂的名和應許比任何君王的都要寶貴。
現今有許多事物都可能成為我們的 神和君王，並竊取本來只應獻給耶穌基督的讚美。當你讀大衛的詩時，你是否也可以這樣用讚美來回應 神在你身上所做的偉大善工？讚美 神為你所做的一切，不管是回應你的禱告、向你彰顯慈愛、堅固你，還是在試探的劇痛中復興、保守、拯救你，並成全祂在你身上的旨意（ 「耶和華必成全關乎我的事」）。
讓我們讚美 神，等候地上的君王將自己的榮耀歸於新耶路撒冷的美好日子到來！（啟21:24）

Praising Scripture - Dec 03

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 33:1-11
（Memorization Scripture 1-4）
1 Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous!
For praise from the upright is beautiful.
2 Praise the Lord with the harp;
Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.
3 Sing to Him a new song;
Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
4 For the word of the Lord is right,
And all His work is done in truth.
5 He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap;
He lays up the deep in storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;
Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
9 For He spoke, and it was done;
He commanded, and it stood fast.
10 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.
11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
The plans of His heart to all generations.

【Reflection】 This psalm praises the Lord for His being and His work. The Psalm begins with a call to the upright and righteous people who fear the Lord to rejoice in the Lord and to praise Him. He teaches us to sing a new song to the Lord with the harp and to shout with joy, offering our praises. This is a great reminder for us. Do we really rejoice in the Lord? We should worship and praise the Lord with enthusiasm, from our hearts, mouths and hands, and with our bodies. No need to be self-conscious and wondering how others look at us, but only praising the Lord who loves us. He is our only focus and object during worship. Such praise is both proper and beautiful.

Hallelujah! Lord our God! We shall praise You, too! For Your word is right and absolutely reliable; all Your work is done in truth, and You are a faithful God of mercy!

Hallelujah! Lord our God! We praise You! For You created the massive universe and the beautiful nature with Your word (command, breath). You are God who spoke and it was done, who commanded and it stood fast.

Hallelujah! Lord our God! We praise You! For Your counsel stands forever, the plans of Your heart to all generations. You are who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty!

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 33:1-11
(背誦經文:1-4)
1 義人哪，你們應當靠耶和華歡樂！正直人的讚美是合宜的。
2 你們應當彈琴稱謝耶和華，用十弦瑟歌頌祂。
3 應當向祂唱新歌，彈得巧妙，聲音洪亮。
4 因為耶和華的言語正直，凡祂所做的盡都誠實。
5 祂喜愛仁義、公平，遍地滿了耶和華的慈愛。
6 諸天藉耶和華的命而造，萬象藉祂口中的氣而成。
7 祂聚集海水如壘，收藏深洋在庫房。
8 願全地都敬畏耶和華，願世上的居民都懼怕祂。
9 因為祂說有，就有；命立，就立。
10 耶和華使列國的籌算歸於無有，使眾民的思念無有功效。
11 耶和華的籌算永遠立定，祂心中的思念萬代常存。

【心得分享】這是一首讚美 神所是與所為的詩篇。詩人開始便呼籲敬畏 神的義人和正直人，都當以耶和華為樂並要讚美稱謝祂。詩人教導眾人當用琴瑟和洪亮的聲音向 神唱新歌，來獻上我們讚美的祭。這給我們一個很好的提醒，我們若是真以耶和華為樂，就當帶著熱情用我們的心、用我們的口、用我們的手，全心全人的來敬拜讚美 神。無需顧慮自己的面子和別人的眼光，只單單讚美這位愛我們的 神，因祂是我們讚美敬拜的唯一焦點和對象，這樣的讚美敬拜是應當的，也是合宜的。
哈利路亞！主耶和華我們的 神！我們也要讚美祢！因為祢的言語正直，絕對可信；作為盡都誠實，絕無錯誤。祢是信實慈愛的 神。
哈利路亞！主耶和華我們的 神！我們讚美祢！因為祢用口中的話（命、氣）創造浩瀚的宇宙和美麗的自然。祢是說有就有、命立就立的 神。
哈利路亞！主耶和華我們的 神！我們讚美祢！因為祢的籌算永遠立定，祢心中的思念萬代常存。祢是昔在、今在、以後永在的全能者！