Praising Scripture - Dec 31

Introduction...

PSALM150:1-6 The Hallelujah Psalms
（Memorization Scripture: vv.1-2）
1 Praise the Lord!

Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty firmament!
2 Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
3 Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!
4 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
5 Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with clashing cymbals!

6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord!



[sharing]

The last five chapters in Psalms (146-150) are all focusing on praising God. There is no sorrowfully begging like in Laments, nor aggrieved fretting like in Psalms of cursing, or even the confusion over long waiting on unanswered prayers. There are only praises inviting the children of God to offer sacrifices of praise from all angles. It seems that there are endless praises and the psalmists do no know how to start and don’t want it to end. So they begin and end the psalms with “Hallel” ( praise the Lord)!

In this last psalm of the Book of Psalms, the psalmist expresses even more that God is worthy to be praised with all my heart, all my soul, and all I can offer. Praise the Lord (the mighty acts, the great virtues) with every form (drumming, playing timbrel, dancing, ...), every instrument (trumpet, harp, lute, cymbals), and everywhere (His sanctuary, His mighty firmament)! Who shall praise Him? Not only the children of God, but everything that hath breath.

When you read this short and powerful Psalm, you can not help but stand up and praise the Lord! It may also remind you of the time when Solomon’s temple was built and the priests carried the ark of God into the sanctuary. All the people stand by the altar, praising the Lord. “The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang: ‘He is good; his love endures forever.’ ” (2 Chronicles 5: 13a)

Next time when we gather together in the presence of God, can we praise Him wholeheartedly with all we can because we know who He is? And when we do, may we also experience that “then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God.” (2 Chronicles 5: 13b-14)

【簡介】...

詩 150:1-6 哈里路亞詩篇
(背誦1-2節)
1 你們要讚美耶和華!

在 神的聖所讚美祂，
在祂顯能力的穹蒼讚美祂！
2 要因祂大能的作為讚美祂，
按著祂極美的大德讚美祂。
3 要用角聲讚美祂，
鼓瑟、彈琴讚美祂。
4 擊鼓、跳舞讚美祂，
用絲弦的樂器和簫的聲音讚美祂。
5 用大響的鈸讚美祂，
用高聲的鈸讚美祂。

6 凡有氣息的，都要讚美耶和華！

你們要讚美耶和華！


【心得分享】
詩篇最後五篇（146-150）詩歌，都集中在讚美 神。再沒有哀歌的苦苦求告，沒有咒詛詩的憤憤不平，沒有長久等候禱告蒙答應的困惑。只有讚美，從各個不同的角度，邀請 神的兒女向 神獻上讚美的祭。好像有不盡的讚美，不知如何開始，也不想結束，所以開頭結尾都是「你們要讚美耶和華！」
到了這最後一篇，詩人更是極力的想表達 神配得我們盡心盡力的讚美，不拘形式（鼓瑟、彈琴、擊鼓、跳舞、…），不拘樂器（角，瑟，琴，鼓，絲弦的樂器，蕭，鈸），不拘地方（聖所，穹蒼），就是讚美祂（大能的作為，極美的大德）！誰來讚美祂呢？不只是神的兒女，所有的受造之物，凡有氣息的，都要讚美耶和華！
頌讀這一個短卻強而有力的詩篇的時候，你忍不住的要站起來揚聲讚美！也禁不住想像起當年所羅門聖殿蓋好時，祭司將 神的約櫃抬進至聖所後，站在祭壇旁邊的眾人，無論是「吹號的、歌唱的都一齊發聲，聲合為一，讚美感謝耶和華。吹號、敲鈸，用各種樂器，揚聲讚美耶和華說：『耶和華本為善，他的慈愛永遠長存！』」（代下5:13a）
當我們每一次聚集在神的同在中，是否也可以因為認識祂是一位怎樣的神，而這樣極力的讚美祂？如果如此，我們也一定要經歷 “那時，耶和華的殿有雲充滿，甚至祭司不能站立供職，因為耶和華的榮光充滿了神的殿。” （代下5:13b-14） (NY)

Praising Scripture - Dec 30

Introduction...

PSALM 147:1-11 The Hallelujah Psalms
（Memorization Scripture: vv.10-11）
1 Praise the Lord!

For it is good to sing praises to our God;
For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.
2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.
4 He counts the number of the stars;
He calls them all by name.
5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;
His understanding is infinite.
6 The Lord lifts up the humble;
He casts the wicked down to the ground.
7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
Sing praises on the harp to our God,
8 Who covers the heavens with clouds,
Who prepares rain for the earth,
Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.
9 He gives to the beast its food,
And to the young ravens that cry.
10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse;
He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.
11 The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him,
In those who hope in His mercy.
……
19 He declares His word to Jacob,
His statutes and His judgments to Israel.
20 He has not dealt thus with any nation;
And as for His judgments, they have not known them.

Praise the Lord!


[sharing]

The first verse of this psalm could read as : ‘how wonderful to sing hymns, how joyful to give proper praises.’ (—— Tyndale Bible Commentary). Indeed, we have so many reasons to praise God! But we often don’t know how to praise Him. So, let’s learn to praise the Lord from the psalmist.

First, the psalmist gives thanks to God who counts the number of the stars yet takes care of the little ons—heals, binds up, support, redeem, gathers, and build up, to make us His people, His country becomes our country, and His home becomes our home!

God reigns over all. He protects and provides for all He creates. But He desires human beings to glorify Him as God. He does not delight them relying on themselves rather than God as “The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy.”

Then, the psalmist continue elaborating that this God of immeasurable power and wisdom, besides being in charge of the whole universe, He graciously gives us His laws to lead us. “He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and His judgments to Israel. He has not dealt thus with any nation.” Without the instructions from His word and statues, we are but arrogant, forgetful and ignorant people who easily fall into the trap of being conceited and drifting away from God’s heart. His love and mercy are are far better than we could even imagine.

Come, let us praise this almighty, merciful and thoughtful God! （NY)

【簡介】...

12/30 詩篇147:1-11, 19-20 哈里路亞詩篇
(背誦10-11節)
1你們要讚美耶和華！

因歌頌我們的神為善為美，
讚美的話是合宜的。

2 耶和華建造耶路撒冷，
聚集以色列中被趕散的人。
3 祂醫好傷心的人，
裹好他們的傷處。
4 祂數點星宿的數目，
一一稱它的名。

5 我們的主為大，最有能力，
祂的智慧無法測度。

6 耶和華扶持謙卑人，
將惡人傾覆於地。

7 你們要以感謝向耶和華歌唱，
用琴向我們的神歌頌。

8 祂用雲遮天，為地降雨，
使草生長在山上。
9 祂賜食給走獸和啼叫的小烏鴉。
10 祂不喜悅馬的力大，
不喜愛人的腿快。
11 耶和華喜愛敬畏祂
和盼望祂慈愛的人。
……
19 祂將祂的道指示雅各，
將祂的律例典章指示以色列。
20 別國祂都沒有這樣待過；
至於祂的典章，他們向來沒有知道。

你們要讚美耶和華！


【心得分享】
這篇詩的第一節可以譯為：「唱讚美詩是何等美好，獻上合宜的稱頌何等快樂。」(──丁道爾聖經註釋) 我們實在是有太多的理由可以來讚美 神！但是稀奇的是我們常常不知道如何來讚美祂。所以，且讓我們跟著詩篇的作者來學讚美。
首先，詩人感謝歌頌這位數點星宿的神這樣眷顧微小的人，醫治、纏裹、扶持、拯救、召聚、建造，使我們成為祂的百姓，祂的國成為我們的國，祂的家成為我們的家！
這位神統管萬有，保護並供應一切祂所造的，卻盼望人要尊祂為神，不喜歡他們自恃其能，倚靠自己甚於倚靠神。「耶和華喜愛敬畏祂和盼望祂慈愛的人」。
接著，詩人又想到這位能力、智慧都無法測度的 神，在掌管宇宙之餘，還將祂的律例典章指示我們，「別國祂都沒有這樣待過；至於祂的典章，他們向來沒有知道。」沒有這些律例典章的指示，我們這些驕傲、健忘、愚昧的人，很容易就墮落在自高自大的陷阱中，遠離了 神的心。祂的慈愛實在是遠超過我們可以想像。
來啊，我們一起來讚美這位大能慈愛，又體貼細緻的神！（NY)

Praising Scripture - Dec 29

Introduction...

PSALM146:1-10 The Hallelujah Psalms
（Memorization Scripture: vv.3-5）
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
2 While I live I will praise the Lord;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
3 Do not put your trust in princes,
Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
4 His spirit departs, he returns to his earth;
In that very day his plans perish.
5 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help,
Whose hope is in the Lord his God,
6 Who made heaven and earth,
The sea, and all that is in them;
Who keeps truth forever,
7 Who executes justice for the oppressed,
Who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners.
8 The Lord opens the eyes of the blind;
The Lord raises those who are bowed down;
The Lord loves the righteous.
9 The Lord watches over the strangers;
He relieves the fatherless and widow;
But the way of the wicked He turns upside down.
10 The Lord shall reign forever—
Your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the Lord!


[sharing]

The passage is a group of hymns. The psalmist stressed that we should come to praise the Lord through our entire life, because our God is worthy. Trust that He will protect his children and lead us to victory! Therefore, even we are facing difficulties or being oppressed, we need to have faith and turn our eyes to God. At the same time, the psalmist warns us not to "rely on the kings of the world," because once their spirits depart, they return to earth. We should fix our eyes and "look upon the Lord," for “happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God."

Therefore, the psalmist here can’t help but praise the Lord, for He is not only the God who created heaven, earth, sea, and all things, but also the God who has mercy and love for those who are wronged, hungry, imprisoned, oppressed, orphans and widows, and all those who have no one to depend on. Hallelujah! This is the God who helps and protects!

At the end, the psalmist loudly proclaimed, "The Lord shall reign forever!" He urged the people of Zion to come and praise God. Amen! "While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being!"

【簡介】...

12/29 詩篇146:1-10 哈里路亞詩篇
(背誦3-5節)
1你們要讚美耶和華！

我的心哪，你要讚美耶和華！
2 我一生要讚美耶和華，
我還活的時候要歌頌我的神。

3 你們不要倚靠君王，
不要倚靠世人，他一點不能幫助。
4 他的氣一斷，就歸回塵土，
他所打算的當日就消滅了。
5 以雅各的神為幫助，
仰望耶和華他神的，
這人便為有福！

6 耶和華造天、地、海和其中的萬物，
祂守誠實直到永遠。
7 祂為受屈的申冤，
賜食物於飢餓的，
耶和華釋放被囚的，
8 耶和華開了瞎子的眼睛，
耶和華扶起被壓下的人，
耶和華喜愛義人。
9 耶和華保護寄居的，
扶持孤兒和寡婦，
卻使惡人的道路彎曲。
10 耶和華要做王直到永遠。
錫安哪，你的神要做王直到萬代。

你們要讚美耶和華！


【心得分享】
本篇詩篇是一首團體的讚美詩，詩人特別強調我們一生都要來讚美耶和華，因為我們的 神本來就配受大讚美。深信，祂必保守祂的兒女，並帶領他們爭戰得勝！所以，不論我們在面對困苦或受欺壓時，我們需要在信心裡仰望 神，同時，詩人也提醒我們切莫「倚靠君王」或「世人」，因為他們一斷氣，就歸回塵土，但是我們要來專心「仰望耶和華」，因為「 以雅各的 神為幫助，仰望耶和華他 神的，這人便為有福！」

所以，詩人在這裡忍不住地要來歌頌 神，因為祂不僅是創造天、地、海、和萬物的 神，更是顧念那些受屈、飢餓、被囚的人，受壓、寄居的人，瞎子、孤兒寡婦，及一切無依無靠的人，哈里路亞！這位 神卻這麼願意親自成為他們的倚靠，他們的保護！

最後，詩人高聲宣告「耶和華要做王直到永遠！」，同時，他也呼籲錫安的子民都來讚美 神。阿們！「我一生要讚美耶和華，我還活的時候要歌頌我的 神！」 (EY)

Praising Scripture - Dec 28

Introduction...

Psalm 135:1-6,15-21 The Hallelujah Psalms
（Memorization Scripture: vv.1-3）
1Praise the Lord!

Praise the name of the Lord;
Praise Him, O you servants of the Lord!
2 You who stand in the house of the Lord,
In the courts of the house of our God,
3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;
Sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant.
4 For the Lord has chosen Jacob for Himself,
Israel for His special treasure.
5 For I know that the Lord is great,
And our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatever the Lord pleases He does,
In heaven and in earth,
In the seas and in all deep places.
……
15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
The work of men’s hands.
16 They have mouths, but they do not speak;
Eyes they have, but they do not see;
17 They have ears, but they do not hear;
Nor is there any breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them are like them;
So is everyone who trusts in them.
19 Bless the Lord, O house of Israel!
Bless the Lord, O house of Aaron!
20 Bless the Lord, O house of Levi!
You who fear the Lord, bless the Lord!
21 Blessed be the Lord out of Zion,
Who dwells in Jerusalem!

Praise the Lord!
(JZ)


[sharing]

The psalmist repeatedly invites us: "Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord.” O you servants of the Lord, you shall stand in the house of the Lord and praise Him. The psalmist not only invites people to praise the Lord, but also reminds us why we are to praise Him.

In contrast to the idols made by the Gentiles: "They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; They have ears, but they do not hear; Nor is there any breath in their mouths.” But our God is great and is above all gods; Our God is good, and He chose Israel to be His own people; therefore, the psalmist shouts out with thanksgiving: Israel, ah, the house of Aaron, the house of Levi, people who dwell in Jerusalem, you should praise the Lord, praise His holy name.

Hallelujah ... This God of All, in love, has chosen you and me, to be his royal priests, holy nation, God's people. Peter also urged us to preach the one who called you out of darkness, into the virtues of the light. Now we will open our mouths to praise His name, praise God's great love.

【簡介】...

12/28 詩篇135:1-6, 15-21 哈利路亞詩篇
（背誦1-3節）
1-2 你們要讚美耶和華！

你們要讚美耶和華的名！
耶和華的僕人站在耶和華殿中；
站在我們 神殿院中的，你們要讚美祂！
3 你們要讚美耶和華！
耶和華本為善；
要歌頌祂的名，
因為這是美好的。

4 耶和華揀選雅各歸自己，
揀選以色列特作自己的子民。

5 原來我知道耶和華為大，
也知道我們的主超乎萬神之上。
6 耶和華在天上，在地下，
在海中，在一切的深處，
都隨自己的意旨而行。
……

15 外邦的偶像是金的，銀的，
是人手所造的；
16 有口卻不能言，
有眼卻不能看，
17 有耳卻不能聽，
口中也沒有氣息。
18 造他的要和他一樣，
凡靠他的也要如此。

19 以色列家啊，你們要稱頌耶和華！
亞倫家啊，你們要稱頌耶和華！
20 利未家啊，你們要稱頌耶和華！
你們敬畏耶和華的，要稱頌耶和華！
21 住在耶路撒冷的耶和華
該從錫安受稱頌。

你們要讚美耶和華！



【心得分享】

詩人一連多次邀請眾人“你們要讚美耶和華，你們要讚美耶和華的名。”耶和華的僕人哪，你們要站在神的殿中要讚美祂。詩人不只是邀請眾人來讚美耶和華，也提醒我們為何要來讚美祂。

相比於外邦人手所造的偶像：“有口卻不能言，有眼卻不能看，有耳卻不能聽，口中也沒有氣息”，但我們的 神耶和華為大，超乎萬神之上；耶和華本為善，祂揀選以色列特作自己的子民；因此，詩人在感恩中高聲一一點名邀請：以色列家啊，亞倫家啊，利未家啊和住在耶路撒冷的眾人，你們都要稱頌耶和華，讚美祂的聖名。

哈利路亞…，這位創造萬有的神，在愛中也特別揀選你我為君尊的祭司，聖潔的國度，屬神的子民，彼得也呼籲我們要宣揚那召你們出黑暗、入奇妙光明者的美德。現在我們就要開口讚美祂的名，稱頌神的大慈愛。 (JZ)

Praising Scripture - Dec 27

Introduction...

PSALM113:1-9 The Hallelujah Psalms
（Memorization Scripture: vv.1-3）
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
Praise the name of the Lord!
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord
From this time forth and forevermore!
3 From the rising of the sun to its going down
The Lord’s name is to be praised.
4 The Lord is high above all nations,
His glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like the Lord our God,
Who dwells on high,
6 Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?
7 He raises the poor out of the dust,
And lifts the needy out of the ash heap,
8 That He may seat him with princes—
With the princes of His people.
9 He grants the barren woman a home,
Like a joyful mother of children.
Praise the Lord!


[Sharing]
In Hallelujah Psalms, either the first or the last sentence, or both, are "Hallelujah" (Hebrew, meaning "praise the Lord"): as if the whole psalm is teaching about why to praise, who praises, when, where, and how to praise the Lord ...

Did you hear the poet's appeal? Come! Praise the Lord together and bless His name. Because God is worthy of our praise forever (from this time forth and forevermore), and is worthy of praises from the whole earth (from the rising of the sun to its going down).

He is God the most honored, glorious, and holy, who yet humbles Himself, and comes to our aid. He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap. Because of His salvation, we are called His children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. And He leads us through our life on the earth. Sufferings will eventually be overcome and tears will be wiped out. We, shall praise the Lord forever.

【簡介】...

2/27 詩篇 113:1-9 哈利路亞詩篇 （最頭或最後一句為“你們要讚美耶和華”）
（背誦1-3節）
1 你們要讚美耶和華！

耶和華的僕人哪，
你們要讚美， 讚美耶和華的名！
2 耶和華的名是應當稱頌的，
從今時直到永遠！
3 從日出之地到日落之處，
耶和華的名是應當讚美的！

4 耶和華超乎萬民之上；
祂的榮耀高過諸天。
5 誰像耶和華－我們的 神呢？
祂坐在至高之處，
6 自己謙卑，
觀看天上地下的事。
7 祂從灰塵裏抬舉貧寒人，
從糞堆中提拔窮乏人，
8 使他們與王子同坐，
就是與本國的王子同坐。
9 祂使不能生育的婦人安居家中，
為多子的樂母。

你們要讚美耶和華！



『心得分享』
哈利路亞詩篇的第一句或最後一句，或頭尾兩句都是 “Hallelu Yah” (希伯來文，意思是“讚美耶和華”)：仿佛整首的詩篇要教導我們：為何要讚美耶和華，誰來讚美耶和華，什麼時候讚美耶和華，在哪裡讚美耶和華，如何讚美耶和華，…。
你聽到詩人的呼籲了嗎？來！讓我們一起讚美耶和華，稱頌祂的名。因爲 神配得我們永遠的讚美（今時直到永遠），配得全地的讚美（從日出之地到日落之處）。祂是那位至尊至榮至聖的神，卻主動謙卑自己，看顧我們，祂從從灰塵裏抬舉貧寒人，從糞堆中提拔窮乏人，因著祂的救贖，使我們得稱爲祂的兒女，便是後嗣，就是神的後嗣，和基督同作後嗣。并帶領我們走人生的路。苦難終要過去，眼淚也必被擦干，我們，要永遠讚美耶和華。(DX)

Praising Scripture - Dec 26

Introduction...

PSALM 118:19-29 Messianic Psalms
（Memorization Scripture: vv.22-24）
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness;
I will go through them,
And I will praise the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord,
Through which the righteous shall enter.
21 I will praise You,
For You have answered me,
And have become my salvation.

22 The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
23 This was the Lord’s doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.

25 Save now, I pray, O Lord;
O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity.
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
We have blessed you from the house of the Lord.
27 God is the Lord,
And He has given us light;
Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I will praise You;
You are my God, I will exalt You.
29 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.


[Sharing]
Are there any words truer than these - You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. This psalm is rich in Messianic imagery and many of the lines are familiar to us from Jesus using these words about Himself and the people’s shouts of joy at His triumphal entry taken from this very psalm. As many consider Psalms 113-118 are the six “Hellel” psalms recited in the three major festivals (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles), Psalm 118 could have even been the final psalm in the mind of Jesus as He celebrated Passover with His disciples (Mark 14:26).

Surrounding this psalm is the history of the Passover - God delivering His people from the slavery of Egypt to bring them into His presence so that they could worship Him. Praise for this salvation is sung out in the refrain Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! We too can sing this today because in such great faithfulness God has answered our deepest need in the ultimate Exodus. Jesus has delivered us not from just enemies our hard times but from sin within through His once and for all atoning sacrifice.

And today this should be truly marvelous in all of our eyes. Though we deserved nothing and while mankind rejected Jesus, in amazing grace by God’s great doing Christ’s victory has transformed our lives of despair into ones of rejoicing worship before the Lord. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. (KA)

【簡介】...

12/26 詩篇118：19-29 彌賽亞詩篇
（背誦22-24節）
19 給我敞開義門，我要進去稱謝耶和華。
20 這是耶和華的門，義人要進去。
21 我要稱謝你，因為你已經應允我，又成了我的拯救。

22 匠人所棄的石頭，已成了房角的頭塊石頭。
23 這是耶和華所做的，在我們眼中看為稀奇。
24 這是耶和華所定的日子，我們在其中要高興歡喜。

25 耶和華啊，求你拯救！耶和華啊，求你使我們亨通！
26 奉耶和華名來的是應當稱頌的！我們從耶和華的殿中為你們祝福。
27 耶和華是神，祂光照了我們。理當用繩索把祭牲拴住，牽到壇角那裡。
28 你是我的神，我要稱謝你；你是我的神，我要尊崇你。
29 你們要稱謝耶和華，因祂本為善，祂的慈愛永遠長存！





『心得分享』

有什麼話比下面這些還真實嗎？ ── 『袮是我的神，我要稱謝袮；袮是我的神，我要尊崇袮。你們要稱謝耶和華，因祂本為善，祂的慈愛永遠長存！』這首詩歌充滿了彌賽亞的形象，主耶穌用了其中好幾句來描述祂自己，當祂榮耀的騎著驢駒子進入耶路撒冷的時候，人們歡呼的頌讚也是從這首詩來的。詩篇113-118 常被人當作是猶太人三個大節（逾越節，五旬節，住棚節）唱的詩，118篇這一首很有可能是主耶穌在與門徒們一起慶祝逾越節後往橄欖山去時心裡思想的最後一首詩歌了。（馬可福音 14：26）

這首詩其實是在述說逾越節的歷史 ── 神拯救祂的子民脫離埃及為奴的生活，帶領他們進入祂的同在，使他們能夠敬拜祂。要讚美這救恩，就要像在副歌（第1節及第29節）中所唱的：『你們要稱謝耶和華，因祂本為善，祂的慈愛永遠長存！』 同樣的，今天我們也能如此稱頌 神，因為偉大信實的 神已經把終極的答案給了我們，帶我們永遠的出了埃及。耶穌基督不僅僅使我們脫離那些做我們仇敵的艱難環境，更是用祂一次而永遠的犧牲做了挽回祭，使我們脫離了罪的轄制。

今天，這首頌歌應該在我們的眼中無比的超凡。儘管我們不配，神卻在人還拒絕耶穌的時候，藉著祂的驚人恩典和祂在基督身上偉大的得勝，把我們的生命從絕望轉變成歡喜的敬拜。噢！『你們要稱謝耶和華，因祂本為善，祂的慈愛永遠長存！』

Praising Scripture - Dec 25

Introduction...

Psalm 16:1-11 Messianic Psalms
A Michtam of David.
（Memorization Scripture: vv.8-11）
1 Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.
2 O my soul, you have said to the Lord,
“You are my Lord,
My goodness is nothing apart from You.”
3 As for the saints who are on the earth,
“They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.”
4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god;
Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer,
Nor take up their names on my lips.
5 O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You maintain my lot.
6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Yes, I have a good inheritance.
7 I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel;
My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
8 I have set the Lord always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will rest in hope.
10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
11 You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.



[Sharing]
Psalm 16 is a Michtam of David, which talks about his faith in the Lord. In faith, he chose to come to the Lord and believed that "I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope."

However, in the sense of prophecy, when David spoke of burial, resurrection, and ascendency, he was referring to the great things to be accomplished by Jesus Christ, Since David was also a prophet, he knew God had sworn to him that He would raise up one of his descendants to sit on David’s throne. So he foresaw it, talking about the resurrection of the Christ: His soul would not be left in Sheol; He would not see corruption. This Jesus, who shed His blood for us and could not be held by death, has now resurrected and ascended high above to heaven!

Therefore, this psalm was quoted by Peter and Paul in Acts to prove that Jesus is the Messiah that God promised in the Old Testament (Acts 2:25-31, 13:35-37). Today, David's prophecy has been fulfilled through Jesus Christ. Let us set the Lord always before us, and He will show us the path of life. In His presence is the fullness of joy; at His right hand are pleasures forevermore! (MC)

【簡介】...

12/25 詩篇16:1-11 彌賽亞詩篇
〔大衛的金詩。〕
(背誦8-11節)
1 神啊，求你保佑我，因為我投靠你。
2 我的心哪，你曾對耶和華說：
“你是我的主，
我的好處不在你以外。”
3 論到世上的聖民，
他們又美又善，是我最喜悅的。
4 以別神代替耶和華的（註：或作“送禮物給別神的”），他們的愁苦必加增；
他們所澆奠的血我不獻上；
我嘴唇也不提別神的名號。
5 耶和華是我的產業，是我杯中的分；
我所得的，你為我持守。
6 用繩量給我的地界，坐落在佳美之處；
我的產業實在美好。
7 我必稱頌那指教我的耶和華；
我的心腸在夜間也警戒我。

8 我將耶和華常擺在我面前，
因祂在我右邊，我便不至搖動。
9 因此，我的心歡喜，我的靈（註：原文作“榮耀”）快樂，
我的肉身也要安然居住。
10 因為你必不將我的靈魂撇在陰間，
也不叫你的聖者見朽壞。
11 你必將生命的道路指示我；
在你面前有滿足的喜樂，
在你右手中有永遠的福樂。



【心得分享】詩篇第16篇是大衛所寫的金詩，講到大衛對 神的信靠。在信心的裡面，選擇來投靠耶和華，相信“我將耶和華常擺在我面前，因祂在我右邊，我便不至搖動。因此，我的心歡喜，我的靈快樂，
我的肉身也要安然居住”。
然而在預言的意義上，大衛卻是指向大衛的子孫, 耶穌基督, 所要成就的大事 - 埋葬、復活、升天，因為大衛已經死了，也葬埋了，並且他的墳墓直到今日還在以色列人中間。然而因著大衛也是先知，大衛曉得 神曾向他起誓，要從他的後裔中立一位坐在他的寶座上，就預先看明這事，講論基督復活說：祂的靈魂不撇在陰間；祂的肉身也不見朽壞。這位替我們捨身流血的耶穌，原不能被死拘禁，如今祂已經復活升上了高天！
因此，本詩篇被彼得和保羅在使徒行傳所引用來證明耶穌就是 神在舊約中所應許的彌賽亞 (徒2:25-31; 13:35-37)。今天，大衛的預言已經在耶穌基督的身上成就，就讓我們藉著住在基督裡面，將祂常擺在我們面前，祂必將生命的道路指示我們，在祂面前有滿足的喜樂，在祂右手中有永遠的福樂！(MC)

Praising Scripture - Dec 24

Introduction...

Psalm 24：1-10 Messianic Psalms
（Memorization Scripture: vv.7-10）
1The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness,
The world and those who dwell therein.
2 For He has founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the waters.
3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him,
Who seek Your face. Selah
7 Lift up your heads, O you gates!
And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
The Lord mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Lift up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory. Selah



[Sharing]
Many people conclude that Psalm 24 describes what happened when David received the return of the Ark of the Covenant to the tabernacle in Zion from the house of Obed-Edom (1 Chronicles 15). At that time, David and the leaders of Israel came to the House of Obed-Edom. As the Priests and the Levites carried the Ark of the Covenant, all of Israel brought up the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn, with trumpets and with cymbals, making music with stringed instruments and harps. And King David also whirled and played music among them. What a joyful and glorious scene! Because of the arrival of the Ark of the Covenant, the glorious King descended from above the heaven to Israel!

Today, on this Christmas Eve, let us remember Jesus Christ, who is the Word that became flesh. This glorious King took the form of a baby, so that majority of Israelis didn't recognize that He was the Messiah for whom they had been waiting. On that night, there was not even a room in which He could be birthed! Hopefully we, who are justified, could cleanse our hands, prepare our hearts, come together to seek the Lord, and wait for the glorious manifestation of the Lord!

Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Lift up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory.

The Lamb who humbled Himself and was slain,
is now the Lamb sitting on the throne. (MC)

【簡介】...

12/24 詩篇24:1-10 彌賽亞詩篇
(背誦7-10節)
1 地和其中所充滿的，世界和住在其間的，都屬耶和華。
2 祂把地建立在海上，安定在大水之上。

3 誰能登耶和華的山？誰能站在祂的聖所？
4 就是手潔心清，不向虛妄，起誓不懷詭詐的人。
5 他必蒙耶和華賜福，又蒙救他的神使他成義。
6 這是尋求耶和華的族類，是尋求你面的雅各。（細拉）

7 眾城門哪，你們要抬起頭來！
永久的門戶，你們要被舉起！
那榮耀的王將要進來！
8 榮耀的王是誰呢？
就是有力有能的耶和華，
在戰場上有能的耶和華。
9 眾城門哪，你們要抬起頭來！
永久的門戶，你們要把頭抬起！
那榮耀的王將要進來！
10 榮耀的王是誰呢？
萬軍之耶和華，
祂是榮耀的王。（細拉）


【心得分享】
許多人揣測詩篇24篇講述了大衛將耶和華的約櫃，從俄別以東的家迎回錫安城中的帳幕時的情形（代上15章）。那時，大衛和以色列的首領來到俄別以東的家，祭司和利未人自潔後用杠肩抬 神的約櫃，以色列眾人歡呼吹角、吹號、敲鈸、鼓瑟、彈琴，大發響聲，歡歡喜喜地將耶和華的約櫃抬上來，大衛也在 神的約櫃面前踴躍跳舞。這實在是一個充滿了歡樂和榮耀的情形！因著約櫃的到來，那榮耀的王也從高天之上降臨到以色列人中間！

今天，在這個聖誕前夜，也讓我們一同來思想這位道成肉身的耶穌基督。這位榮耀的王取了嬰孩的樣式，以至於當時絕大多數的猶太人不知道祂就是他們所等候的彌賽亞，那一夜伯利恆並無房間作祂的出生處，但盼望今天我們這些得稱為義的族類，能夠潔淨我們的手，預備我們的心，一同來尋求 神的面，等候 神榮耀的顯現！
眾城門哪，你們要抬起頭來！
永久的門戶，你們要被舉起！
那榮耀的王將要進來！
榮耀的王是誰呢？
萬軍之耶和華，
祂是榮耀的王。
曾降卑被殺的羔羊，如今也是坐寶座的羔羊！(CM)

Praising Scripture - Dec 23

Introduction...

Psalm 22:1-2,9-10,18-31 Messianic Psalms
（Memorization Scripture: vv.25-26）
1 My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?
Why are You so far from helping Me,
And from the words of My groaning?
2 O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear;
And in the night season, and am not silent.
……
9 But You are He who took Me out of the womb; You made Me trust while on My mother's breasts.
10I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother's womb You have been My God.
……
18 They divide My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.
19 But You, O Lord, do not be far from Me;
O My Strength, hasten to help Me!
20 Deliver Me from the sword,
My precious life from the power of the dog.
21 Save Me from the lion’s mouth
And from the horns of the wild oxen!
You have answered Me.
22 I will declare Your name to My brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.
23 You who fear the Lord, praise Him!
All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him,
And fear Him, all you offspring of Israel!
24 For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted;
Nor has He hidden His face from Him;
But when He cried to Him, He heard.
25 My praise shall be of You in the great assembly;
I will pay My vows before those who fear Him.
26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied;
Those who seek Him will praise the Lord.
Let your heart live forever!
27 All the ends of the world
Shall remember and turn to the Lord,
And all the families of the nations
Shall worship before You.
28 For the kingdom is the Lord’s,
And He rules over the nations.
29 All the prosperous of the earth
Shall eat and worship;
All those who go down to the dust
Shall bow before Him,
Even he who cannot keep himself alive.
30 A posterity shall serve Him.
It will be recounted of the Lord to the next generation,
31 They will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be born,
That He has done this.



[Sharing]
Psalm 22 is a Messianic Psalm known as the Psalm of the Cross. Deeply lonely and helpless, in his struggle David questioned, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, and from the words of My groaning?” But then David remembered that the Lord is the one who brought him out of the womb, that he can trust in Him, and that his life was in God’s hand. He began to learn to praise the Lord, saying, “In the midst of the assembly I will praise You...My praise shall be of You in the great assembly...all the families of the nations shall worship before You.” When his eyes became fixed upon God, his spiritual life was transformed from lament to a song of praise.

As we know now, all the afflictions described by David here -- from being rejected by God and being scoffed, despised and shamed, to the bitterness that came from evil men piercing his hands and feet, dividing his garments among themselves, and casting lots his clothing -- were all fulfilled in Jesus. As written in Isaiah 53, “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” So “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

Hallelujah, praise the Lord! His cross is not only the way we should take but also the way out provided by the Lord. JZ

【簡介】...

12/23詩篇22:1-2, 9-10, 18-31 彌賽亞詩篇
（背誦25-26節）
1 我的神！我的神！為什麼離棄我？
為什麼遠離不救我，不聽我唉哼的言語？
2 我的神啊，我白日呼求，
你不應允；夜間呼求，並不住聲。
…...
9 但你是叫我出母腹的；我在母懷裡，你就使我有倚靠的心。
10 我自出母胎就被交在你手裡；從我母親生我，你就是我的神。
…...
18 他們分我的外衣，
為我的裡衣拈鬮。
19 耶和華啊，求你不要遠離我！
我的救主啊，求你快來幫助我！
20 求你救我的靈魂脫離刀劍，
救我的生命脫離犬類！
21 救我脫離獅子的口！
你已經應允我，使我脫離野牛的角。

22 我要將你的名傳於我的弟兄，
在會中我要讚美你。
23 你們敬畏耶和華的人，要讚美祂！
雅各的後裔，都要榮耀祂！
以色列的後裔，都要懼怕祂！
24 因為他沒有藐視、憎惡受苦的人，
也沒有向他掩面，那受苦之人呼籲的時候，他就垂聽。

25 我在大會中讚美你的話是從你而來的，
我要在敬畏耶和華的人面前還我的願。
26 謙卑的人必吃得飽足，尋求耶和華的人必讚美祂。
願你們的心永遠活著！

27 地的四極都要想念耶和華，並且歸順祂，
列國的萬族都要在你面前敬拜。
28 因為國權是耶和華的，祂是管理萬國的。
29 地上一切豐肥的人必吃喝而敬拜，
凡下到塵土中不能存活自己性命的人，都要在祂面前下拜。
30祂必有後裔侍奉祂，
主所行的事必傳於後代。
31 他們必來把他的公義傳給將要生的民，
言明這事是祂所行的。(JZ)






【心得分享】
詩篇22篇是一首彌賽亞詩或稱十字架的詩篇。大衛藉著詩歌在 神面前傾訴自己的苦情，他深感孤單無助、在掙扎中他質問說：“我的 神！我的 神！為什麼離棄我？為什麼遠離不救我，不聽我唉哼的言語？” 但大衛思想到是 神叫他出母腹的，使他有依靠的心，并且一生都在神的手中。他開始學習讚美 神，他說：“在會中我要讚美你……我在大會中讚美你的話是從你而來的……列國的萬族都要在你面前敬拜。”當他的目光聚焦在 神的身上時，他的屬靈生命就開始轉彎從哀歌變成讚歌。

殊不知，大衛一切的感受，如被神棄絕，被眾人嗤笑、藐視、羞辱，仇敵扎他的手和腳，拈鬮分祂的衣服等等苦楚，全部都應驗在耶穌的身上。正如以賽亞書53章裡提到的：祂誠然擔當我們的憂患，背負我們的痛苦，我們卻以為祂受責罰，被 神擊打苦待了。哪知祂為我們的過犯受害，為我們的罪孽壓傷。因祂受的刑罰我們得平安，因祂受的鞭傷我們得醫治。如今祂還給我們開了一條又新又活的路，讓我們只管坦然無懼地來到施恩的寶座前，為要得憐恤，蒙恩惠，做隨時的幫助。（來4：16）

哈利路亞讚美主，祂的十字架既是我們的道路，也是我們的出路。（JZ）

Praising Scripture - Dec 22

Introduction...

PSALM 2:1-12 Messianic Psalms
（Memorization Scripture: vv.6-7）
1 Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”

4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
6 “Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion.”
7 “I will declare the decree:
The Lord has said to Me,
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’”

10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son,lest He be angry,
And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.


[Sharing]
“Your arms are too short to box with God,” it has been said. And yet, isn’t our biggest problem is that we still try? Though it is sheer vanity, the kings of our world continue to counsel together in a rebellion to supplant the Lord God. In this kingly, messianic psalm those hostile kings of the earth are contrasted with the divine King and His Anointed - the Christ. And what is at the heart of their rebellion is a sort of spiritual insanity - they want to break free from God the Father and the Christ because they think the Lord is enslaving when His rule actually delivers bondage-breaking freedom!

What is God’s response? Laughter. God isn’t laughing at man’s sin but his prideful boastings. Only the Lord God sits in heaven and no one will overthrow His rule, His decrees, or His Son. God’s answer to our rebellion is to set His King, Jesus the Christ on His holy hill Zion (vv.4-6). The answer takes root in your heart as you personally praise the Christ who is set as King over every part of your life.

And this is great comfort and worthy of all our praise because God’s righteousness and His Savior will prevail. Look too at the grace of God to which the psalmist draws our attention and that of the kings - there is still time and what the Lord wants is not your destruction but for you to turn this very day from praising yourself to worship of the Son - Be wise, be instructed, serve the Lord, rejoice with trembling, and kiss the Son for blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. (KA)

【簡介】...

12/22 詩篇2:1-12 彌賽亞詩篇
(背誦6-7節)
1外邦為什麼爭鬧，
萬民為什麼謀算虛妄的事？
2 世上的君王一齊起來，
臣宰一同商議，
要抵擋耶和華並祂的受膏者，
3 說：「我們要掙開祂們的捆綁，
脫去祂們的繩索！」

4 那坐在天上的必發笑，
主必嗤笑他們。
5 那時，祂要在怒中責備他們，
在烈怒中驚嚇他們，
6 說：「我已經立我的君在錫安我的聖山上了。」
7 受膏者說：「我要傳聖旨。耶和華曾對我說：『你是我的兒子，我今日生你。
8 你求我，我就將列國賜你為基業，將地極賜你為田產。
9 你必用鐵杖打破他們，你必將他們如同窯匠的瓦器摔碎。』」

10 現在你們君王應當醒悟，
你們世上的審判官該受管教！
11 當存畏懼事奉耶和華，
又當存戰兢而快樂。
12 當以嘴親子，恐怕祂發怒，你們便在道中滅亡，
因為祂的怒氣快要發作。

凡投靠祂的，都是有福的！


【心得分享】

西諺云：“你的胳膊太短，不足以與 神鬥拳”。但是，我們最大的問題難道不是仍然還在嘗試著與 神較力嗎？儘管是純屬虛妄，這個世界的諸王和萬民還在持續的謀算商議如何取代真神，要抵擋 神和祂的受膏者。在這首既是君王詩又是彌賽亞詩的詩篇中， 地上這些充滿敵意的王和神聖的君王並祂的受膏者──基督，形成對比。他們叛逆的中心就在於靈裡的愚蠢──他們想逃離 神，因為他們認為 神在 奴役他們，但事實上，神的法度卻是為他們打破了捆綁並使他們了真自由！

神的反應是什麼呢？大笑。神不是在笑人的罪，而是嗤笑人的自高自大。只有 神坐在高天寶座上，沒有人能夠推翻祂的律法，祂的典章，更無法抵擋祂的兒子。神用「我已經立我的君在錫安我的聖山上了。」（4-6節），回答了這些人的悖逆。當我們用這句話來讚美 神，尊耶穌基督是我們生命中每一個部分的王，這個回答就要生根在我們心裡。

這是一個極大的安慰並且配得我們所有的讚美，因為 神的公義和祂的受膏者會永遠長存。這也是 神的恩典，詩人試著將我們和世上君王的注意力都引向這個恩典 —— 就是我們還有機會和時間，因為 神不是想要毀壞我們，而是要我們省悟並受管教，讚美這個 神所定的日子，從悖逆轉向敬拜祂的兒子 ─應當存畏懼事奉耶和華，又當存戰兢而快樂。當以嘴親子，因為凡投靠祂的，都是有福的。(KA)

Praising Scripture - Dec 21

Introduction...

PSALM 18:1-6, 16-19,46 Praise God Before The Enemy
（Memorization Scripture: vv.1-3）
1 I will love You, O Lord, my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.

4 The pangs of death surrounded me,
And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid.
5 The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me;
The snares of death confronted me.
6 In my distress I called upon the Lord,
And cried out to my God;
He heard my voice from His temple,
And my cry came before Him, even to His ears.
……
16 He sent from above, He took me;
He drew me out of many waters.
17 He delivered me from my strong enemy,
From those who hated me,
For they were too strong for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
But the Lord was my support.
19 He also brought me out into a broad place;
He delivered me because He delighted in me.
…
46 The Lord lives!
Blessed be my Rock!
Let the God of my salvation be exalted.




[Sharing]
The knowledge of God and spiritual maturity require years and years of experiencing, as well as the end from the Lord. (See ''Special Grace and Reserve Grace'' by Brother Watchman Nee) The reason why David's poem is deeply rooted in people's hearts and used by the Holy Spirit is that his seventy years of rich experience has the traces of God’s work. When the Lord saved David from all his enemies and from Saul’s hand, he read this fifty-verse psalm to the Lord.

Have you had a hard time? Have you ever felt the hopelessness when walk through the valley of the shadow of death? Have you experienced the overwhelmed panic when strong enemy is present? Then you must have the similar experience as David:

“He sent from above, He took me;
He drew me out of many waters.
He delivered me from my strong enemy,
From those who hated me,
For they were too strong for me.
They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
But the Lord was my support.
He also brought me out into a broad place;
He delivered me because He delighted in me.”

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my God, in whom in take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. The Lord lives! I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies!

I will love You, O Lord, my strength! (NY)

【簡介】...

12/21
诗篇18：1-6，16-19,46 在仇敵面前讚美神
耶和華的僕人大衛的詩，交於伶長。當耶和華救他脫離一切仇敵和掃羅之手的日子，他向耶和華念這詩的話，說：
(背誦1-3節)
1 耶和華我的力量啊，我愛你！
2 耶和華是我的巖石，我的山寨，
我的救主，我的神，
我的磐石，我所投靠的。
祂是我的盾牌，是拯救我的角，是我的高臺。
3 我要求告當讚美的耶和華，
這樣我必從仇敵手中被救出來。

4 曾有死亡的繩索纏繞我，
匪類的急流使我驚懼，
5 陰間的繩索纏繞我，
死亡的網羅臨到我。
6 我在急難中求告耶和華，向我的神呼求。
祂從殿中聽了我的聲音，
我在祂面前的呼求入了祂的耳中。
……
16 祂從高天伸手抓住我，
把我從大水中拉上來。
17 祂救我脫離我的勁敵和那些恨我的人，
因為他們比我強盛。
18 我遭遇災難的日子，他們來攻擊我，
但耶和華是我的倚靠。
19 祂又領我到寬闊之處；
祂救拔我，因祂喜悅我。
…
46 耶和華是活 神。
願我的磐石被人稱頌；
願救我的 神被人尊崇。






【心得分享】
對神的認識和屬靈的成熟度是需要年日和經歷的，並且還要有主的結局。（參考倪柝聲弟兄“臨時的恩典與積蓄的恩典”。）大衛的詩之所以深刻人心，並且被聖靈使用，是因為他七十年的人生有著豐富的經歷神工作的痕跡。當耶和華救大衛脫離一切仇敵和掃羅之手的日子，他向耶和華念這首長達五十節的讚美詩。
有過急難的日子嗎？有過行經死蔭幽谷的無望之感嗎？有過強敵當前不知所措的恐慌嗎？那你一定也有大衛類似的經歷：
“祂從高天伸手抓住我，
把我從大水中拉上來。
祂救我脫離我的勁敵和那些恨我的人，
因為他們比我強盛。
我遭遇災難的日子，他們來攻擊我，
但耶和華是我的倚靠。
祂又領我到寬闊之處；
祂救拔我，因祂喜悅我。
耶和華 神是我的巖石，我的山寨，我的救主、我的神、我的磐石、我的盾牌，是拯救我的角，是我的高臺。祂是活神，是當讚美的耶和華；當我求告祂，我必從仇敵手中被救出來！
耶和華我的力量啊，我愛你！(NY)

Praising Scripture - Dec 20

Introduction...

PSALM27:1-6 Praise God Before The Enemy
（Memorization Scripture: vv.4-6）
1The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.
4 One thing I have desired of the Lord,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the Lord,
And to inquire in His temple.
5 For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.






[sharing]

At times when we face enemies or go through hard times, feeling afraid might be our very natural reaction. Whether we admit it or not, that fear often consumes us, occupies our minds and causes us to lose our peace. Although going through tough times is inevitable, in this passage, the psalmist points us to the ultimate help that we can have to overcome fear: hope in the Lord, dwell in the house of the Lord, and allow him to protect us.

When David was a shepherd boy, he had to face lions and bears in the wilderness. Later on, he had to fight Goliath, run from King Saul, face the betrayal by Absalom and prepare for the repeated threats from the Philistines. During all those hard times, he learned to turn his eyes to God. So verses 1-3 was him speaking to himself and reminding himself: The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? David longs to dwell in the house of the Lord and be in God’s presence. This is what he was seeking. For he knows that whenever he is in great trouble, the Lord shall hide him in His pavilion and protect him in the secret place of His tabernacle. The Lord shall set him high upon a rock so that he can overcome fear and be lifted up above his enemies, still singing, offering sacrifices of joy and praising the Lord.

Are you also facing great difficulties? Are you eager for such a breakthrough? Then try what David did: turn your eyes to the Lord, and He will save you from fear, and you will sing and praise Him.

【簡介】...

12/20
詩篇27:1-6 在仇敵面前讚美神
大衛的詩
(背誦4-6節)
1 耶和華是我的亮光，是我的拯救，我還怕誰呢？
耶和華是我性命的保障，我還懼誰呢？
2 那作惡的，就是我的仇敵，
前來吃我肉的時候，就絆跌仆倒。
3 雖有軍兵安營攻擊我，我的心也不害怕；
雖然興起刀兵攻擊我，我必仍舊安穩。

4 有一件事，我曾求耶和華，我仍要尋求：
就是一生一世住在耶和華的殿中，
瞻仰祂的榮美，在祂的殿裡求問。
5 因為我遭遇患難，
祂必暗暗地保守我，
在祂亭子裡，把我藏在祂帳幕的隱密處，
將我高舉在磐石上。

6 現在我得以昂首，高過四面的仇敵。
我要在祂的帳幕裡歡然獻祭，
我要唱詩，歌頌耶和華。




【心得分享】

當我們在面對仇敵或極大的難處時，害怕是我們天然人非常自然的反應，無論我們承認與否，害怕的感覺，就是常常那樣真實的抓住我們，使我們失去安息。這是一個無法遮掩的事實。這篇詩提供了一個勝過懼怕的秘訣，那就是仰望耶和華，住在祂的殿中，讓祂來保守我們。

大衛自幼放羊，遭遇過獅子和熊，後來面對巨人哥利亞的挑戰、掃羅的追殺、押沙龍的叛變，和非利士人多次的威脅。在人生面對這麽多的仇敵和危險時，他學會了轉眼仰望 神。所以1-3節他對自己説話，提醒自己：耶和華是我的亮光，是我的拯救，我還怕誰呢？耶和華是我性命的保障，我還懼誰呢？大衛渴望住在耶和華的殿中，經歷祂的同在，這是他曾經尋求，仍要尋求的一件事。因爲他知道每當遭遇患難，耶和華必暗暗的保守他，將他藏在祂帳幕的隱秘處，高舉在磐石上，以致能夠從懼怕到昂首，高過四面的仇敵，並且可以歡然獻祭，唱詩，歌頌耶和華。

你是否正在面對極大的難處？是否也渴望這樣的突破？不妨效法大衛，眼目單單注視耶和華，祂要把你從懼怕中拯救出來，唱詩，歌頌祂。(DX)

Praising Scripture - Dec 19

Introduction...

PSALM3:1-8 Praise God Before The Enemy
（Memorization Scripture: vv.3-4）
1 Lord, how they have increased who trouble me!
Many are they who rise up against me.
2 Many are they who say of me,
“There is no help for him in God.” Selah

3 But You, O Lord, are a shield for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
4 I cried to the Lord with my voice,
And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah

5 I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me all around.
7 Arise, O Lord;
Save me, O my God!
For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;
You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.
8 Salvation belongs to the Lord.
Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah




[Sharing]
This psalm is a personal lament, an excellent example where the psalmist is able to pray loudly although powerful enemies are still around. From Samuel Chapter 15 to Chapter 19, it is recorded that when David fled away from his renegade son Absalom, not only must he endure the shame and misery of the betrayal of his own son, he went barefoot and left Jerusalem, crying as he walked away; but also he must confront the attack and the ridicule of many enemies who took the opportunity to attack him from all places, saying that “This is no help for him in God”. However, he bravely declared in faith: “But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.” And he firmly believed that God had answered his prayer on the holy hill so that he would not fear the attacks around him, and the Lord would always bless him whether he was sleeping or awake. When he called God again to save him, he reminded God and also himself that God had defeated the evil enemies, and that salvation only belonged to the Lord. Not only that he sought the help of God, but also he, although in difficulties, remembered the people of God. The heart of a pastoral king is so obvious.

Note that this article uses "Selah” three times (verses 2, 4, and 8) to show that the surging emotions and feelings in this psalm are beyond the simple words. Any singer of this song should carefully understand it.

Have you faced any enemy's attack in your current life? Is there any experience where you cannot ”lift up the head"? Are you afraid? Oh, the heavenly traveler, we have so many fellow travelers in different ages, so do not be discouraged, do not retreat. Because God is a shield for you, your glory, and the one who lifts up your head. He will bless you, lead you out of the woods, and win the battle, because "salvation belongs to the Lord!”

【簡介】...

12/19
詩篇3:1-8 在仇敵面前讚美神
〔大衛逃避他兒子押沙龍的時候作的詩〕
(背誦3-4節)
1 耶和華啊，我的敵人何其加增！
有許多人起來攻擊我。
2 有許多人議論我說：
「他得不著 神的幫助。」（細拉）

3 但你耶和華是我四圍的盾牌，是我的榮耀，
又是叫我抬起頭來的。
4 我用我的聲音求告耶和華，
祂就從祂的聖山上應允我。（細拉）

5 我躺下睡覺，我醒著，
耶和華都保佑我。
6 雖有成萬的百姓來周圍攻擊我，
我也不怕。

7 耶和華啊，求你起來！
我的神啊，求你救我！
因為你打了我一切仇敵的腮骨，
敲碎了惡人的牙齒。
8 救恩屬乎耶和華，
願你賜福給你的百姓。（細拉）





【心得分享】
本詩是一首個人的哀歌，是在強敵當前還能揚聲禱告非常好的範例。撒母耳記下十五~十九章記載大衛在逃避他的兒子押沙龍叛變時，不僅要忍受親生兒子背叛的羞辱和痛苦，蒙頭赤腳離開耶路撒冷，一面走一面哭泣；還得面對許多敵人趁機四面起來攻擊他、譏笑他「得不著 神的幫助」。但他在信心中勇敢地宣告：「袮耶和華是我四圍的盾牌，是我的榮耀，又是叫我抬起頭來的。」而且堅信 神在聖山上已經應允他的禱告，使他不怕周圍的攻擊，無論他是睡覺、醒著，耶和華都保佑他。當他再呼求神拯救他的時候，他特別提醒神，也提醒自己，神已經擊敗兇惡的敵人，救恩唯有出於耶和華，不僅他自己要得著神的幫助，他還在困苦中記念神的百姓，牧者君王(Pastoral King)的心腸溢於言表。

注意本篇用了“細拉”三次（2, 4, 8節），表明這篇詩裡澎湃起伏的情緒和想要表達的感受超過簡單的文字，吟唱的人要用心體會。

在你目前的生活中，是否也面臨了仇敵的攻擊？有沒有讓你“抬不起頭來”的經歷？你害怕嗎？走天路的客旅啊，這條道路上有許多歷代的同路人，不要氣餒，不要後退。因為 神是你四圍的盾牌、是你的榮耀，又是叫你抬起頭來的那位。祂要保佑你，帶領你走出困境、爭戰得勝，因為「救恩屬乎耶和華」！ (EY)

Praising Scripture - Dec 18

Introduction...

PSALM 42:6-11 43:1-5 Praise God In the Midst of Distress
（Memorization Scripture: vv.3-4）
6 O my God,my soul is cast down within me;
Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan,
And from the heights of Hermon,
From the Hill Mizar.
7 Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;
All Your waves and billows have gone over me.
8 The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,
And in the night His song shall be with me—
A prayer to the God of my life.
9 I will say to God my Rock,
“Why have You forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As with a breaking of my bones,
My enemies reproach me,
While they say to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”

11 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.
……

PSALM 43:1-5
1 Vindicate me, O God,
And plead my cause against an ungodly nation;
Oh, deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man!
2 For You are the God of my strength;
Why do You cast me off?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
3 Oh, send out Your light and Your truth!
Let them lead me;
Let them bring me to Your holy hill
And to Your tabernacle.
4 Then I will go to the altar of God,
To God my exceeding joy;
And on the harp I will praise You,
O God, my God.

5 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.


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【簡介】...

12/18
詩篇42:6-11， 43:1-5 在困境中讚美神 ——流亡者之歌（續）
可拉後裔的訓誨詩，交於伶長。
(背誦3-4節)
6 我的神啊，我的心在我裡面憂悶，
所以我從約旦地，從黑門嶺，從米薩山，記念你。
7 你的瀑布發聲，深淵就與深淵響應，
你的波浪洪濤漫過我身。
8 白晝，耶和華必向我施慈愛；
黑夜，我要歌頌、禱告賜我生命的神。

9 我要對神我的磐石說：
「你為何忘記我呢？我為何因仇敵的欺壓時常哀痛呢？」
10 我的敵人辱罵我，好像打碎我的骨頭，
不住地對我說：「你的神在哪裡呢？」

11 我的心哪，你為何憂悶？
為何在我裡面煩躁？
應當仰望神，因我還要稱讚祂，
祂是我臉上的光榮，是我的神。

43：1神啊，求你申我的冤，
向不虔誠的國為我辨屈，
求你救我脫離詭詐不義的人！
2 因為你是賜我力量的神。
為何丟棄我呢？
我為何因仇敵的欺壓時常哀痛呢？

3 求你發出你的亮光和真實，
好引導我，帶我到你的聖山，
到你的居所。
4 我就走到神的祭壇，
到我最喜樂的神那裡。
神啊，我的神，
我要彈琴稱讚你。

5 我的心哪，你為何憂悶？
為何在我裡面煩躁？
應當仰望神，因我還要稱讚祂，
祂是我臉上的光榮，是我的神。






【心得分享】
人在沮喪的時候，常常是反反复复的。前面才對自己的心說：「應當仰望神，因我還要稱讚祂，祂是我臉上的光榮，是我的神」，詩人馬上又憂悶了。在乾渴、憂悶、煩躁的時候，他在流亡之地 （約旦地、黑門嶺、米薩山）記念神。你是否也曾在同學會杯觥交錯中想念神？是否也曾在華麗的衣香鬓影中尋找 神的踪跡？是否因為多日沒有讀經禱告，沒有到教會與聖徒們一同敬拜神，而想念 神的面？
神真是愛我們，我們才一記念祂，祂就回應我們：「袮的瀑布發聲，深淵就與深淵響應，
袮的波浪洪濤漫過我身。【註】」喜的讓詩人馬上說：「白晝，耶和華必向我施慈愛；黑夜，我要歌頌、禱告賜我生命的神。」然後把副歌（11節）又吟唱了一遍。這個「深淵就與深淵響應」(7節）實在是人與神心靈對話入木三分的形容。唯有深的井能回應出深邃的聲音，唯有深的水能供應深不見底的渴慕和需要。
到了四十三篇，詩人似乎逐漸走出了沮喪谷，記得神是公義的神，是賜他力量的神。他開始恢復盼望，求神帶領他回到聖山，回到 神的居所，重新在祭壇前彈琴稱讚神！最後，再以副歌結束。
四十二篇和四十三篇加在一起的這首長詩，是許多天路客旅喜歡吟唱的詩歌。你是否也經歷過在沮喪受壓的困境中，認識了神是那位用笑臉幫助我們的神呢？你在受壓的困境中能否如這個詩人一樣與 神有這樣坦然真實的對話？你在人生哀歌的季節，是否渴想神的同在，同時也堅信 神的幫助和拯救，甚至發出讚美？(NY)

【註】有些註解對11節中「波浪洪濤」的解釋是災難困苦。

Praising Scripture - Dec 17

Introduction...

PSALM 42:1-5 Praise God In the Midst of Distress——
To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation of the sons of Korah.
（Memorization Scripture: vv. 5）
1 As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?

3 My tears have been my food day and night,
While they continually say to me,
“Where is your God?”

4 When I remember these things,
I pour out my soul within me.
For I used to go with the multitude;
I went with them to the house of God,
With the voice of joy and praise,
With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.

5 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance.


[Sharing]

Psalm 42 and 43 are the first and second parts of the same psalm, and they echo each other coherently and cohesively. The psalmist was the descendant of those who once were so rebellious to God and should have been swallowed by the earth (See Numbers 16) yet saved by the grace of God. Since the time of David, there were a group of people among the son of Korah who were delegated to sing in the temple of God (such as Heman, one of the three chief musicians). The psalmist of this psalm presumably should also serve as a musician in the temple of God. And now, for being held captive during war or some other unknown reason, he was left in a strange place apart from the presence of God and was unable to participate in any worship services. (In this psalm) He described that his soul pants for God, as the deer pants for the water brooks. People saw him and mocked him, and said “where is your God?” And this made him so depressed that his tear had been his food day and night.


The psalmist is saddened even more as he recalls a time when together with the people, he headed to the temple of God and sang praises to keep a feast. But at the same time, this memory became a turning point, which led to verse 5. In both Psalm 42 and 43, verse 5 acts as chorus which is repeated three times to portray the psalmist’s strong emotions.

Everyone of us can fall down into a spiritual low place while walking the path of faith, and it just might seem that we will never get back to those reviving and glorious moments when we still dwelled in the temple of God. When we are cast down we are easily disquieted and can lose all hope. But in such times, this psalmist who carried the mark of grace, reminded his worried heart to “Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance” (v5). We too are sinners saved by grace and God will not remember our rebellion to Him. When we are still wandering in the wilderness, as long as our soul pants for His presence, He will be there as always, and help us with His countenance. (NY)

【簡介】...

12/17 詩篇42:1-5 在困境中讚美神——流亡者之歌
可拉後裔的訓誨詩，交於伶長。
（背誦5節）
1 神啊，我的心切慕你，
如鹿切慕溪水。
2 我的心渴想神，就是永生神，
我幾時得朝見神呢？

3 我晝夜以眼淚當飲食，
人不住地對我說：「你的神在哪裡呢？」

4 我從前與眾人同往，用歡呼稱讚的聲音，
領他們到神的殿裡，大家守節。
我追想這些事，我的心極其悲傷。

5 我的心哪，你為何憂悶？
為何在我裡面煩躁？
應當仰望神，因祂笑臉幫助我，
我還要稱讚祂。






【心得分享】
詩篇四十二篇和四十三篇是一首詩的上和下，前後呼應，連成一氣。作者是先祖曾經背叛 神本該全部被地吞滅（見民數記16章），卻因著 神的恩典而留下來的後裔。從大衛的時代開始，這些人有一些是派在神的殿中歌唱的 （例如希幔是三位伶長之一）。這首詩的作者應該也是原來在聖殿服事音樂的；現在，不曉得是因為戰爭被擄，還是其他的原因，他流亡在沒有神同在的異地，不得參與敬拜。他形容自己渴慕 神的同在，好像鹿渴慕溪水一樣。人看見他的景況嘲笑他：「你的神在哪裡呢？」令他越發沮喪到甚至晝夜以眼淚當飲食。

詩人回想他曾經與眾人同往 神的殿，用歡呼稱讚的聲音帶領大家守節。這使得他的心更是悲傷到極處。但是，同時這個回想也成了一個轉機，帶進了第五節的頌讚。第五節在四十二篇和四十三篇中是一個副歌，被重複了三次，可見是詩人特別強烈的感受。

每一個人的信仰之旅都有可能落在沮喪谷，似乎無法再回到以往住在神殿中復興的光景。我們在沮喪中，很容易煩躁、失去盼望。但是，這個身上帶著 神恩典記號的詩人，提醒自己憂悶的心，「應當仰望神，因祂笑臉幫助我，我還要稱讚祂。」我們也是一樣蒙恩的罪人，神不記念我們的背逆，在我們流盪在外的時候，只要我們渴慕見祂的面，祂就還是一如以往的用祂的笑臉幫助我們。(NY)

Praising Scripture - Dec 16

Introduction...

12/16 Psalm29：1-11 Praise God In the Midst of Distress

1 Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones,

Give unto the Lord glory and strength.

2 Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name;

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;

The God of glory thunders;

The Lord is over many waters.

4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;

The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars,

Yes, the Lord splinters the cedars of Lebanon.

6 He makes them also skip like a calf,

Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox.

7 The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire.

8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;

The Lord shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.

9 The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth,

And strips the forests bare;

And in His temple everyone says, “Glory!”

10 The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood,

And the Lord sits as King forever.

11 The Lord will give strength to His people;

The Lord will bless His people with peace.

[Sharing]

On stormy nights, we tend to focus on our difficulties and losses and get trapped by weaknesses and afflictions which lead us to complain to and even grow distant from God. Yet, the psalmist tells us that even in times of trouble we ought to praise the Lord. To be honest, it is a great challenge (for everyone of us) to praise the Lord in difficulty unless we praise the Lord on a daily basis. Like David, we ought to know by heart that the Lord is the kind and powerful God who makes all things work together for good to those who love Him.

In this psalm, David mentioned the voice of the Lord seven times (it is powerful, full of majesty...), to remind us that the glory and power of God is mightier than any of this world’s storms and difficulties. Therefore, the psalmist said that the children of God, should not be afraid of these difficulties which will not last but rather we should praise His name, giving to the Lord the glory due His name, for The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood, And the Lord sits as King forever (v10). God loves us so much and He will give strength to His people and bless His people with peace. (JZ)

【簡介】...

詩篇29:1-11  在困境中讚美神

1 神的眾子啊，你們要將榮耀、能力歸給耶和華，

歸給耶和華！

2 要將耶和華的名所當得的榮耀歸給祂，

           以聖潔的裝飾敬拜耶和華！

3 耶和華的聲音發在水上，榮耀的神打雷，

耶和華打雷在大水之上。

4 耶和華的聲音大有能力，

          耶和華的聲音滿有威嚴。

5 耶和華的聲音震破香柏樹，

         耶和華震碎黎巴嫩的香柏樹。

6 祂也使之跳躍如牛犢，

使黎巴嫩和西連跳躍如野牛犢。

7 耶和華的聲音使火焰分岔。

8 耶和華的聲音震動曠野，

耶和華震動加低斯的曠野。

9 耶和華的聲音驚動母鹿落胎，樹木也脫落淨光。

          凡在祂殿中的，都稱說祂的榮耀。

10 洪水氾濫之時，耶和華坐著為王；

         耶和華坐著為王，直到永遠。

11 耶和華必賜力量給祂的百姓，

         耶和華必賜平安的福給祂的百姓。

【心得分享】

在暴風雨的災難困境中，我們的眼睛往往會聚焦在困境和損失上，軟弱灰心會抓住我們，讓我們心生埋怨甚至是遠離 神。但詩人卻呼籲我們在困境中要讚美敬拜耶和華。誠實的講，碰到困難還能讚美 神是很大的挑戰。除非我們平時就是一個常常讚美神的人，像大衛一樣真認識 神，深知祂是有慈愛和大能，叫萬事互相效力使我們得益處的 神。

大衛在這裡就一連七次提到耶和華的聲音（是大有能力、滿有威嚴…）來提醒我們 神的榮耀和能力，大過所遇任何外在的困境和災難。因此，詩人呼籲住在神家中的眾子啊，不要因外在暫時的困境恐懼害怕，當來讚美，將耶和華的名所當得的榮耀歸給祂；因為“洪水氾濫之時，耶和華坐著為王，耶和華坐著為王，直到永遠。”  神愛我們，必賜力量和平安的福給屬祂的百姓。（JZ）

Praising Scripture - Dec 15

Introduction...

PSALM 37:1-11 Praise God’s Will
（Memorization Scripture: vv. 3-6）
1 Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.

7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off;
But those who wait on the Lord,
They shall inherit the earth.
10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;
Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,
But it shall be no more.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth,
And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.





[sharing]
It’s not always easy to praise God for His will. The challenge is that first we don’t necessarily know what His will is, and second that we may not truly care about it. By the time we get to see God’s will and start to care about it, it’s still likely that we don’t fully agree or cannot follow it. What God regards the best may not be what we desire the most, or even if it is, we may not have the strength to obey Him, which is especially true when we fret (see how “do not fret” appear 3 times in this passage) and want to retaliate.

But here God says to His children through David that we should 1) trust in the Lord, and do good, 2) dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness, and 3) delight yourself also in the Lord -- and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Then He continues with “Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.” Vengeance belongs to God, for only He is righteous, and only those who do the will of God abide forever. Sometimes when God’s will is not clear to us our flesh will be tempted by the enemy as we fret, and we will sin if we fail to overcome the temptation. To delight ourselves in the Lord’s will, we have to be humble, willing to obey, and wait patiently.

Children of God, let’s all listen to God’s words and obey: “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.” Let’s not follow our own will, but humble ourselves under the righteous and mighty hand of God. Let’s put faith in His judgement and leading, and honor Him as God. “The meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” (NY)

【簡介】...

12/15 詩篇37:1-11 讚美神的旨意
(背誦3-6節)
1 不要為作惡的心懷不平，
也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。
2 因為他們如草快被割下，
又如青菜快要枯乾。

3 你當倚靠耶和華而行善，
住在地上，以祂的信實為糧；
4 又要以耶和華為樂，
祂就將你心裡所求的賜給你。
5 當將你的事交託耶和華，
並倚靠祂，祂就必成全。
6 祂要使你的公義如光發出，
使你的公平明如正午。

7 你當默然倚靠耶和華，耐性等候祂。
不要因那道路通達的和那惡謀成就的心懷不平。
8 當止住怒氣，離棄忿怒；
不要心懷不平，以致作惡。
9 因為作惡的必被剪除，
惟有等候耶和華的必承受地土。

10 還有片時，惡人要歸於無有。
你就是細察他的住處，也要歸於無有。
11 但謙卑人必承受地土，
以豐盛的平安為樂。





【心得分享】
要讚美 神的旨意，很多時候不是一件理所當然的事。首先我們不一定知道什麼是 神的旨意，再就是我們不見得在乎神的旨意。等我們知道了，也開始在乎了，我們在很多事情上又不贊成或跟不上神的旨意。我們覺得祂的旨意不是我認為最好的，或者無力順服。尤其是當我們心懷不平 （你看，這十一節裡就有三個“心懷不平”呢！），想要以牙還牙的時候。
但是神在這裡藉著大衛對祂的兒女說，你要：1）倚靠耶和華而行善，2）住在地上，以祂的信實為糧，3）又要以耶和華為樂——祂就將你心裡所求的賜給你。然後，祂又說：「當將你的事交託耶和華，並倚靠祂，祂就必成全。祂要使你的公義如光發出，使你的公平明如正午。」申冤在 神，唯有 神是公義，也唯有 神的旨意和遵行祂旨意的人永遠長存。我們對祂的旨意一時看不清楚，有時就在憤憤不平的時候肉體被仇敵試探，以致犯罪作惡。神的旨意，必須是謙卑、願意順服、並且耐性等候的人才能引以為樂的。
神的兒女啊，讓我們聽神的話，“你當默然倚靠耶和華，耐性等候祂”，不要自己做主，要服在 神公義大能的手下，相信祂的判斷和帶領，尊祂為 神。「謙卑人必承受地土，以豐盛的平安為樂」！ (NY)

Praising Scripture - Dec 14

Introduction...

12/14 Psalm 89：1-4，20-29，51-52 Praise God’s Will
（Memorization Scripture: vv. 27-29）
1 I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever;
With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations.
2 For I have said, “Mercy shall be built up forever;
Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens.”
3 “I have made a covenant with My chosen,
I have sworn to My servant David:
4 ‘Your seed I will establish forever,
And build up your throne to all generations.’” Selah
…
20 I have found My servant David;
With My holy oil I have anointed him,
21 With whom My hand shall be established;
Also My arm shall strengthen him.
22 The enemy shall not outwit him,
Nor the son of wickedness afflict him.
23 I will beat down his foes before his face,
And plague those who hate him.
24 “But My faithfulness and My mercy shall be with him,
And in My name his horn shall be exalted.
25 Also I will set his hand over the sea,
And his right hand over the rivers.
26 He shall cry to Me, ‘You are my Father,
My God, and the rock of my salvation.’
27 Also I will make him My firstborn,
The highest of the kings of the earth.
28 My mercy I will keep for him forever,
And My covenant shall stand firm with him.
29 His seed also I will make to endure forever,
And his throne as the days of heaven.
…
51 With which Your enemies have reproached, O Lord,
With which they have reproached the footsteps of Your anointed.
52 Blessed be the Lord forevermore!
Amen and Amen.（JZ）


[sharing]
Although the larger context of our psalm today is a prayer for help when trouble abounds, we see the psalmist starting the psalm with the praise that “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever;
With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations”. The Lord has made the everlasting covenant with David, in which His multiple promises that “I have…”, “I will…”, “Also I will…”, and “...My…” demonstrate His great mercy and love to David. With the promises “I have found My servant David; With My holy oil I have anointed him, With whom My arm shall strengthen;. I will beat down his foes before his face; My faithfulness and My mercy shall be with him, And in My name his horn shall be exalted. Also I will make him My firstborn,” the Lord has reminded the seed of David, the people in Zion, to not lose heart in difficulties because their God is faithful, His covenant shall stand firm, and He will make David’s throne endure forever as the days of heaven. Hallelujah! Blessed be the LORD for evermore! Amen, and Amen.

Praise the Lord! Today we are all found by God like David, anointed by the Holy Spirit, and receive all of the promises and blessings as sons of God in Christ. Baptism is the testimony of us being found by God. Breaking of bread is the mark of God’s love on us, reminding us that God has made with us the everlasting covenant through the blood of His son Jesus Christ. Because of what God has done for us, now we can come and cry to Him, ‘You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.’ (JZ)

【簡介】...

12/14 詩篇89:1-4，20-29，51-52 讚美神的旨意
(背誦27-29節)
1 我要歌唱耶和華的慈愛直到永遠，
我要用口將你的信實傳於萬代。
2 因我曾說：「你的慈悲必建立到永遠，你的信實必堅立在天上。」
3 「我與我所揀選的人立了約，向我的僕人大衛起了誓：
4 我要建立你的後裔直到永遠，要建立你的寶座直到萬代。」（細拉）
…
20 「我尋得我的僕人大衛，用我的聖膏膏他。
21 我的手必使他堅立，我的膀臂也必堅固他。
22 仇敵必不勒索他，凶惡之子也不苦害他。
23 我要在他面前打碎他的敵人，擊殺那恨他的人。

24 只是我的信實和我的慈愛要與他同在，因我的名他的角必被高舉。
25 我要使他的左手伸到海上，右手伸到河上。
26 他要稱呼我說：『你是我的父，是我的神，是拯救我的磐石。』
27 我也要立他為長子，為世上最高的君王。
28 我要為他存留我的慈愛直到永遠，
我與他立的約必要堅定。
29 我也要使他的後裔存到永遠，
使他的寶座如天之久。」
…
51 耶和華啊，你的仇敵用這羞辱，
羞辱了你的僕人，羞辱了你受膏者的腳蹤。
52 耶和華是應當稱頌的，直到永遠！
阿們，阿們。


【心得分享】
就著整篇來看這是一首在困難中向 神禱告的詩，但詩人開始便說“我要歌唱耶和華的慈愛直到永遠，我要用口將你的信實傳於萬代。” 因為 神與大衛立了永約，多次說：“我…、我的…、我要…、我也要…”來強調祂對大衛的慈愛和應許。「我尋得我的僕人大衛，用聖膏膏他，用膀臂堅固他 ，在他面前打碎他的敵人，用信實和慈愛與大衛同在，使他的角被高舉，我也要立他為長子。」藉此來提醒大衛的子孫，錫安的眾民在困境中不可灰心，信實的 神必永遠堅定與大衛所立的約，使他的寶座如天之久。哈利路亞，耶和華是應當稱頌的，直到永遠！阿們，阿們。

真是感謝讚美 神！今天我們也像大衛一樣被 神尋得，被聖靈恩膏，在基督裡得著兒子各樣的應許和祝福；浸禮就是我們被 神尋得的見證；餅杯就是 神愛我們的標記，提醒我們， 神用祂兒子耶穌的血與我們立了永不改變的新約。因此，我們可以隨時到祂面前呼求說：『祢是我的父，是我的 神，是拯救我的磐石。』（JZ）

Praising Scripture - Dec 13

Introduction...

PSALM40:6-11 Praise for God’s Will
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
（Memorization Scripture: vv. 6-8）
6 Sacrifice and offering You did not desire;
My ears You have opened.
Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.
7 Then I said, “Behold, I come;
In the scroll of the book it is written of me.
8 I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart.”

9 I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness
In the great assembly;
Indeed, I do not restrain my lips,
O Lord, You Yourself know.
10 I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart;
I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation;
I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth
From the great assembly.
11 Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O Lord;
Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me.


The larger context of our psalm today is a prayer for help when trouble abounds. David begins by praising God for His past mercies before another appeal to the gracious Lord for deliverance. Sandwiched fittingly between these is this testament to the king’s faithfulness to God’s will. That’s really the heart of the matter here - true praise includes true obedience to the Lord. David knows that God mandated animal sacrifices but if they were offered without genuine repentance and faith, God did not want them because that would not be true worship. The great praise here is both that the psalmist delights and does God’s will and that God has chosen to reveal His will to David and put it within his heart.

Praise You, dear God who has opened our ears!


Let us all praise our Lord who has graciously revealed His will to us and wonderfully moves our hearts to delight in His ways, even writing His law within our hearts!
Praise You dear Jesus for Your righteousness, faithfulness and your salvation!
Let us all praise the Christ for His lovingkindness, His truth, and His tender mercies!
Let us offer such praise even when trouble abounds.
Let us offer this praise in the great assemblies where all can hear and join in. (KA)

【簡介】...

12/13 詩篇40:6-11 讚美神的旨意
大衛的詩，交予伶長。
(背誦6-8節)
6 祭物和禮物你不喜悅，你已經開通我的耳朵，
燔祭和贖罪祭非你所要。
7 那時我說：「看哪，我來了，我的事在經卷上已經記載了。
8 我的神啊，我樂意照你的旨意行，你的律法在我心裡。」

9 我在大會中宣傳公義的佳音，我必不止住我的嘴唇，
耶和華啊，這是你所知道的。
10 我未曾把你的公義藏在心裡，我已陳明你的信實和你的救恩，
我在大會中未曾隱瞞你的慈愛和誠實。
11 耶和華啊，求你不要向我止住你的慈悲，
願你的慈愛和誠實常常保佑我。



【心得分享】 今天這篇詩篇主要的背景是在困難中向 神求助的禱告。在呼籲賜恩的 神再一次解救他之前，大衛先因著 神以前向他所施的憐憫而發出讚美。而在這兩者中間，又恰如其分地插入了王信實地遵行 神旨意的見證。這正是大衛在此所要表達的真正核心：真實的讚美包含我們對 神真實的順服。大衛明白 神雖然定規百姓獻上祭牲，但若真實的悔改和信心沒有同祭牲一起獻上， 神就不會悅納，因為，沒有真實的悔改和信心，就算不上是真實的敬拜。大衛的讚美不僅表達了他喜悅 神的旨意，並遵照 神的旨意而行；也見證了神願意將祂的旨意向大衛顯明，並將祂的律法放在大衛心裡。

親愛的主，我們讚美袮，因為袮開通了我們的耳朵！

今天，讓我們都來讚美這位充滿恩慈的主！祂不光將祂的心意向我們顯明，更是將祂的律法放在我們心裡，並在我們心裡動工，讓我們喜悅祂的旨意。
親愛的耶穌我們讚美袮！為著袮的公義，袮的信實，袮的拯救！
讓我們一起來讚美基督！為著祂的慈愛，祂的真理，祂溫柔的憐憫！
即使在困窘中，讓我們仍然向 神獻上這樣的讚美！
讓我們在大會中不住聲地讚美 神，直到所有的受造都聽見與我們一起讚美！（KA）

Praising Scripture - Dec 12

Introduction...

PSALM 132:1-9;13-18 Praise God’s Kingdom/God’s Dwelling Place
（Memorization Scripture: vv. 13-18）
1 Lord, remember David
And all his afflictions;
2 How he swore to the Lord,
And vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:
3 “Surely I will not go into the chamber of my house,
Or go up to the comfort of my bed;
4 I will not give sleep to my eyes
Or slumber to my eyelids,
5 Until I find a place for the Lord,
A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

6 Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah;
We found it in the fields of the woods.[a]
7 Let us go into His tabernacle;
Let us worship at His footstool.
8 Arise, O Lord, to Your resting place,
You and the ark of Your strength.
9 Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness,
And let Your saints shout for joy.
……
13 For the Lord has chosen Zion;
He has desired it for His dwelling place:
14 “This is My resting place forever;
Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provision;
I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation,
And her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
17 There I will make the horn of David grow;
I will prepare a lamp for My Anointed.
18 His enemies I will clothe with shame,
But upon Himself His crown shall flourish.”




[sharing]
There have been a lot of difficulties and tribulations in the many years of serving the Lord and His church, and sometimes I have felt discouraged. But God always speaks to me at a crucial moment and shows me what He wants. This psalm is one of them. Back to 2005 when we were buying the church building, God once again spoke to me through this psalm. It seemed that I could roughly understand a bit of David's misery and his urgency to find a resting place for the ark of the Lord. In order to fulfill the needs of the Lord, David would rather suffer. If our sufferings cannot be connected with the eternal purpose of God, which is Christ and the church, it will be worthless at all!

Having spent his life in war, David knew well and worry about God's ark being displaced and restless. Where is God's resting place today? Where is the shining place of God's witness cabinet? Is every church a home where God can dwell in? Can His heart rest in peace among us? Behold what manner of love is the Lord! With exceedingly precious promises, He responds to those who love Him and care about His presence and testimony. In His chosen dwelling place, He will 'abundantly bless her provision, satisfy her poor with bread; ... also clothe her priests with salvation, And her saints shall shout aloud for joy.' The horn of David speaks of God's victory - wherever there is God's presence, God reigns and enemies will be humiliated; those who suffer for the Lord will have glorious crowns on their heads.

Do you think that this psalm is like a song, which step by step builds up into God's heart, encountering God's promise and glory! No wonder this psalm is collected in the "Songs of Accent".

【簡介】...

12/12 詩篇132:1-9，13-18 讚美神的國/神的居所
(背誦13-18節)
1 耶和華啊，求你記念大衛所受的一切苦難。
2 他怎樣向耶和華起誓，向雅各的大能者許願，
3 說：「我必不進我的帳幕，也不上我的床榻。
4 我不容我的眼睛睡覺，也不容我的眼目打盹。
5 直等我為耶和華尋得所在，為雅各的大能者尋得居所。」

6 我們聽說 約櫃在以法他，
我們在基列‧耶琳就尋見了。
7 我們要進他的居所，
在他腳凳前下拜。
8 耶和華啊，求你興起，
和你有能力的約櫃同入安息之所！
9 願你的祭司披上公義！
願你的聖民歡呼！
……
13 因為耶和華揀選了錫安，願意當做自己的居所，
14 說：「這是我永遠安息之所，
我要住在這裡，因為是我所願意的。
15 我要使其中的糧食豐滿，使其中的窮人飽足。
16 我要使祭司披上救恩，聖民大聲歡呼。
17 我要叫大衛的角在那裡發生，
我為我的受膏者預備明燈。
18 我要使他的仇敵披上羞恥，
但他的冠冕要在頭上發光。」





【心得分享】服事神和祂的教會這麼多年，遇到過許多困境和磨難，有時候會覺得有些氣餒。但是神總是在關鍵時刻，對我說話，讓我看見祂要什麼，這首詩篇是其中之一。2005年買會所的過程，在一次週六的禁食禱告會，神又再一次用這個詩篇對我說話。我似乎約略可以體會一點大衛的苦難，和他那個要為 神的約櫃尋找安息之所的迫切。大衛為了滿足 神的需要，寧願自己受苦。如果我們的苦難，不能與 神永遠的旨意，也就是基督與教會，相連，這個苦就受得太不值得了！

大衛一生在戰亂中度過，他特別能體會也焦急神的約櫃流離失所、不得安息。今天的世代，哪裡是 神的安息之處呢？哪裡是神的見證之櫃發光的所在？每一個教會，都是神可以居住的家嗎？祂的心可以在我們中間安息嗎？看哪，神是何等的慈愛！祂用極寶貴的應許來回應那些愛祂、在乎祂同在與見證的子民。在祂所揀選的居所，祂要「使其中的糧食豐滿，使其中的窮人飽足；…使祭司披上救恩，聖民大聲歡呼。」大衛的角，說到神的得勝——哪裡有神的同在，哪裡就有神掌權，仇敵要受羞辱；為神忍受苦難的，卻有發光的冠冕帶在頭上。

大家覺不覺得這首詩，就是一首歌，一步步爬上來，進入神的心意，相交於神的應許和榮耀！難怪這首詩會被收集在「上行詩」的小詩集中。（NY)