Daily Scripture - Jan 1

Pro.1
Gen.1-2
Matt.1-2



Deuteronomy 6:1-9
(Memorization Scripture 6-9)
1 Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the Lord your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, 2 that you may fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. 3 Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the Lord God of your fathers has promised you—‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."



<年度讀經計畫>
箴1
創1-2
太1-2

<每日經文>
申命記 6:1-9
(背誦經文 6-9)
1「這是耶和華你們神所吩咐教訓你們的誡命、律例、典章，使你們在所要過去得為業的地上遵行， 2 好叫你和你子子孫孫一生敬畏耶和華你的神，謹守他的一切律例、誡命，就是我所吩咐你的，使你的日子得以長久。 3 以色列啊，你要聽，要謹守遵行，使你可以在那流奶與蜜之地得以享福，人數極其增多，正如耶和華你列祖的神所應許你的。4 「以色列啊，你要聽！耶和華我們神是獨一的主。 5 你要盡心、盡性、盡力愛耶和華你的神。6 我今日所吩咐你的話都要記在心上， 7 也要殷勤教訓你的兒女。無論你坐在家裡、行在路上，躺下、起來，都要談論。 8 也要繫在手上為記號，戴在額上為經文。 9 又要寫在你房屋的門框上，並你的城門上。

Praising Scripture - Dec 31

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 150:1-6
（Memorization Scripture :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!

【Reflection】The last five chapters in Psalms (146-150) focus on praising God. There is no sorrowful begging, as in Laments, nor grieved fretting, as in psalms of cursing, or even the confusion over long periods of 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 not 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 cannot 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 stood 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 everything 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)

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 150:1-6
(背誦經文:1-2)
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，詩人更是極力地想表達 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），就是要讚美祂（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！
頌讀這一篇短卻強而有力的詩篇時，你忍不住地要站起來揚聲讚美！也禁不住地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，祂的慈愛永遠長存！」』（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，而這樣極力地讚美祂？如果如此，我們也一定會經歷 「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）

Praising Scripture - Dec 30

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 147:1-11,19-20
（Memorization Scripture :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!

【Reflection】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 ones—heals, binds up, supports, redeems, gathers, and build ups, 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 when they glorify themselves rather than Himself as He has said, “The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy.”

Then, the psalmist continues to elaborate that God is 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 instruction from His word and statues, we are but arrogant, forgetful and ignorant people who easily fall into the trap of being conceited and drift away from God’s heart. His love and mercy are far better than we could ever imagine.

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

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 147:1-11,19-20
(背誦經文:10-11)
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1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！但是我們常常不知道如何來讚美祂。所以，讓我們繼續跟著詩篇的作者來學習讚美。
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，並且我們也無從也世界分別。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！

Praising Scripture - Dec 29

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 146:1-10
（Memorization Scripture :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!

【Reflection】This 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 though 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 spirit departs, 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 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 our 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!"

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 146:1-10
(背誦經文:3-5)
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 祂為受屈的伸冤，賜食物與飢餓的。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。哈利路亞！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！」

Praising Scripture - Dec 28

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 135:1-6,15-21
（Memorization Scripture :1-3）
1 Praise 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!

【Reflection】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, a 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!

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 135:1-6,15-21
(背誦經文:1-3)
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」，我們的 神耶和華誠然為大，超乎萬 神之上。耶和華本為善，祂特別揀選以色列作自己的子民。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，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。現在我們就要大大地張口讚美 神的名，稱頌祂的大慈愛。

Praising Scripture - Dec 27

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 113:1-9
（Memorization Scripture :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!

【Reflection】 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 praise 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 earth. Sufferings will eventually be overcome and tears will be wiped away. We shall praise the Lord forever!

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 113:1-9
(背誦經文:1-3)
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（從今時直到永遠），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。並帶領我們走人生的路。苦難終要過去，眼淚也必被擦乾，我們要永遠讚美耶和華。

Praising Scripture - Dec 26

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 118:19-29
（Memorization Scripture :22-24,28-29）
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.

【Reflection】 Are there any words truer and more precious than these - “You are my God, and I will give thanks to You; You are my God; I will extol You. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love 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. Psalms 113-118 are six “Hallel” psalms recited during the three major festivals (Passover, Pentecost, Feast of 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. “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 from our enemies, our hard times, and also from sin within through His once-and-for-all atoning sacrifice.

And today this should be truly marvelous in 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 steadfast love endures forever!”

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 118:19-29
(背誦經文:22-24,28-29)
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 我要稱謝祢，因為祢已經應允我，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，求祢拯救！耶和華啊，求祢使我們亨通！
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 祢是我的 神，我要稱謝祢；祢是我的 神，我要尊崇祢。
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】 有什麼話比這樣的讚美還真實、且滿有榮耀？ ── 「祢是我的 神，我要稱謝祢；祢是我的 神，我要尊崇祢。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，當祂榮耀地騎著驢駒子進入耶路撒冷的時候，人們歡呼地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篇這一首也很有可能是主耶穌在與門徒們一起慶祝逾越節後，往橄欖山去的時候，心裡思想的最後一首詩歌。（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。因著救恩唱到（第1節及第29節）：「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，領我們永遠地出了埃及。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

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 16:1-11
（Memorization Scripture :5-6,8-11）
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.

【Reflection】 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 shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure." (vv. 8-9)

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 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 fullness of joy; at His right hand are pleasures forevermore!

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 16:1-11
(背誦經文:5-6,8-11)
1 神啊，求祢保佑我，因為我投靠祢。
2 我的心哪，你曾對耶和華說：
「祢是我的主，我的好處不在祢以外。」
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，是我杯中的份；我所得的，祢為我持守。
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 因為祢必不將我的靈魂撇在陰間，也不叫祢的聖者見朽壞。
11 祢必將生命的道路指示我；在祢面前有滿足的喜樂，
在祢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。」（8-9 節）
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，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！

Praising Scripture - Dec 24

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 24:1-10
（Memorization Scripture :7-10）
1 The 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

【Reflection】Many people conclude 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 accompanied with shouting and with the sound of the horn, with trumpets and 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 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 the majority of Jews 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 gates!
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory!” (vv. 9-10)

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

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 24:1-10
(背誦經文:7-10)
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，是尋求祢面的雅各。（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，你們要把头抬起！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。」（9-10 節）曾降卑被殺的羔羊，如今也是坐寶座的羔羊！

Praising Scripture - Dec 23

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 22:1-2，9-10，18-31
（Memorization Scripture :25-28）
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.
10 I 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.

【Reflection】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?” (v. 1) 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.” (vv. 22-28)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 for his clothing - were all fulfilled in Jesus. As it is written in Isaiah 53, “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:4-5) So “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive 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.

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 22:1-2,9-10,18-31
(背誦經文:25-28)
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，祢不應允；夜間呼求，並不住聲。
…
9 但祢是叫我出母腹的，我在母懷裡，祢就使我有倚靠的心；
10 我自出母胎就被交在祢手裡；從我母親生我，祢就是我的 神。
…
18 他們分我的外衣，為我的裡衣拈鬮。
19 耶和華啊，求祢不要遠離我；我的救主啊，求祢快來幫助我！
20 求祢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；祢已經應允我，使我脫離野牛的角。
22 我要將祢的名傳於我的弟兄，在會中我要讚美祢。
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 因為祂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，祂就垂聽。
25 我在大會中讚美祢的話是從祢而來的；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；列國的萬族都要在祢面前敬拜。
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。

【心得分享】
詩篇22篇是一首彌賽亞詩或「十字架」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？」（1節）但大衛思想到的是 神叫他出母腹的，使他有依靠的心，並且一生都在 神的手中。他開始學習讚美 神，他說：「在會中我要讚美祢……我在大會中讚美祢的話是從祢而來的……列國的萬族都要在祢面前敬拜。」 （22-28節）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。正如以賽亞書第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。」（賽53:4-5）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！

Praising Scripture - Dec 22

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 2:1-12
（Memorization Scripture :6-7,11）
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.

【Reflection】The kings of this world and the people continue to conspire and plot how to replace the true God, to resist God and His anointed one. What is God's response? He laughs. God scoffs at the arrogance of man. Only the holy King and His anointed one - Christ, contrast with these hostile kings. Their rebelliousness centers on foolishness in their spirits - they try to flee from God, thinking that God enslaves them. But in reality, God's laws and statutes are established in His heavenly throne, no one can overthrow His laws and ordinances, nor can they resist His Son. God answers this defiance with "As for Me, I have set My King on Zion, my holy hill" (verse 6). When we praise God with this statement, honoring Jesus Christ as the king of every part of our lives, this answer takes root in our hearts.

This is a great comfort and deserves all our praises because God's righteousness and His anointed one will endure forever. This is also God's grace, as the psalmist tries to turn our attention, both ourselves and the kings of the world, to this grace - that we still have a chance and time because God's intention is not to destroy us, but to make us realize and be disciplined, praising the appointed day of God, turning from rebellion to worshiping His Son - "Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him."

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 2:1-12
(背誦經文:6-7,11)
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：『祢是我的兒子，我今日生祢。
8 祢求我，我就將列國賜祢為基業，將地極賜祢為田產。
9 祢必用鐵杖打破他們，祢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】這個世界的諸王和萬民還在持續地謀算商議如何取代真 神，要抵擋 神和祂的受膏者。神的反應是什麼呢？大笑。 神嗤笑人的自高自大。只有 神聖的君王並祂的受膏者──基督，與這些充滿敵意的王形成對比。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， 神的法度卻在高天寶座上，沒有人能夠推翻祂的律法、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。」（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的心裡。
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。」

Praising Scripture - Dec 21

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 18:1-6,16-19,46
（Memorization Scripture :1-3）
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord, who spoke to the Lord the words of this song on the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said:
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.

【Reflection】For the spiritually mature, the knowledge of God requires many years of experience. 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 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 hopelessness when walking through the valley of the shadow of death? Have you experienced the overwhelming panic when a strong enemy is present? Then you must have a similar experience to David:

“He sent from on high, He took me;
He drew me out of many waters.
He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.
They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support.
He brought me out into a broad place;
He rescued me, because He delighted in me.”

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my God, in whom I 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!

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 18:1-6,16-19,46
(背誦經文:1-3)
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：
1 耶和華我的力量啊，我愛祢！
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，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。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50節的讚美詩。
你有過急難的日子嗎？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，我愛祢！

Praising Scripture - Dec 20

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 27:1-6
（Memorization Scripture :4-6）
1 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?
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.

【Reflection】 In times of hardship and uncertainty we often lose sight and awareness of God’s presence in our lives. Psalm 27 is a beautiful reminder the Lord is our shelter. He provides for us and is our defender against those who seek to hurt us. The trials we face are nothing in light of the greatness of God. We do not need to be filled with fear and worry. We know the Author of life, and he is on our side.

Because of this great security we have in our Heavenly Father, we are blessed to pour out worship to him. We lift our hands and hearts to the Lord today in thanksgiving and praise for what he has done and continues to do for us. He is unrelenting and does not abandon his children. Facing our challenges and enemies, Let’s also boast our victory in Him-“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?”

Take heart on this day. As children of God, let us give praise to our Father who is worthy of receiving it. We praise him in our homes, with our families, and our places of work. We praise him with our children, our spouses, our friends, and the full body of Christ. Every time when we praise, we shall express our desire like this “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple.”

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 27:1-6
(背誦經文:4-6)
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，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】 當生活中充滿艱難與不確定時，我們在生活中常常會忽略 神的同在。但詩篇27提醒我們，神是我們的庇護。祂提供了我們一切所需，同時祂保護我們，不讓他人傷害我們。我們人生中的考驗，在 神的面前都是微不足道的。我們在生活中不必恐慌，也不必擔憂。我們認識生命的創造者，祂站在我們這一邊。
因為我們在天父的裡面有如此極大的安全感，而且我們有福份向祂敬拜。今天讓我們舉起雙手、敞開心靈感謝、讚美 神，感謝祂為我們做的一切。祂是堅定不變的，並且永不離棄我們。在困難和仇敵面前，我們當像詩人那樣誇勝：「耶和華是我的亮光，是我的拯救，我還怕誰呢？」
今天作為 神的兒女，讓我們一起帶著信心、讚美慈愛的天父。我們在家裡、在職場，與我們的孩子、配偶、朋友們、和所有主內的弟兄姐妹一起讚美祂。每一次讚美與禱告時，讓我們也向祂表明我們的心意：「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。」

Praising Scripture - Dec 19

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 3:1-8
（Memorization Scripture :3-4）
A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son.
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

【Reflection】 This psalm is a personal lament and an excellent example where the psalmist is able to pray aloud although powerful enemies surround him. From 2 Samuel Chapters 15-19, it is recorded when David fled from Absalom, his renegade son, not only did he endure the shame and misery of betrayal from his own son, he went barefoot and left Jerusalem crying, but also he encountered the attack and the ridicule of many enemies who took the opportunity to attack him from all sides saying, “There 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.” 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 salvation only belonged to the Lord.

Note that this Psalm 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 understand it.

Have you faced an enemy's attack in your life currently? Is there any experience where you cannot “lift up the head"? Are you afraid? We have so many fellow travelers of different ages, so do not be discouraged, do not retreat! 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!”

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 3:1-8
(背誦經文:3-4)
大衛逃避他兒子押沙龍的時候作的詩
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 但祢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，求祢起來！我的 神啊，求祢救我！
因為祢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，願祢賜福給祢的百姓。（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15-19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：「祢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。
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？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」！

Praising Scripture - Dec 18

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 42:6-11,43:1-5
（Memorization Scripture 42:6-8,43:3-4）
To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation of the sons of Korah.
42: 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.

43:1 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.

【Reflection】When people get upset, emotions are all over the place. In one moment, the psalmist said “Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.” and in the next, the psalmist gets upset. Yet, when he was thirsty and cast down, he remembered God in the deserted land (the land of the Jordan, and from the heights of Hermon, from the Hill Mizar).

God so loves us that once we remember Him, He responds to us, “Deep calls to deep at the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and Your waves have gone over me.” (Psalm 42:7) This response excited the psalmist so much he immediately said, “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.” And then the chorus (v. 11) repeated itself again (v. 5). The verse “Deep calls unto deep” (v. 7) portrays vividly how people and God are having a candid spiritual conversation. There is only the deep well that echoes the deep sound; and there is only water in the deep well that feeds the endless need and longing.

When it comes to psalm 43, the psalmist seemingly went out of the Valley of Baca and remembered that He is a righteous God who gave him strength. The psalmist started to hope and pray that God would take him back to the holy mountain, back to the dwelling of God, so that he could once again praise the Lord with harp in the temple of God. Then, the psalm ends with the chorus.

Psalm 42 and Psalm 43 combine together to make one song that is prized and frequently sung by Christians and pilgrims. Have you ever gone through difficulty and realized that He who helps us with His countenance is our God? Would you have such a candid and truthful conversation with God in your difficulty, just like the psalmist? In difficult times, would you long for His presence and even praise the Lord for standing and being your help and salvation?

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 42:6-11,43:1-5
(背誦經文42:6-8,43:3-4)
可拉後裔的訓誨詩，交於伶長。
42: 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，記念祢。
7 祢的瀑布發聲，深淵就與深淵響應，祢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：「祢為何忘記我呢？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，求祢伸我的冤，向不虔誠的國為我辨屈；求祢救我脫離詭詐不義的人。
2 因為祢是賜我力量的 神。為何丟棄我呢？我為何因仇敵的欺壓時常哀痛呢？
3 求祢發出祢的亮光和真實，好引導我，帶我到祢的聖山，到祢的居所。
4 我就走到 神的祭壇，到我最喜樂的 神那裡。神啊，我的 神！我要彈琴稱讚祢。
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，常常是反反複複的。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。
神真是愛我們，我們才一記念祂，祂就回應我們：「祢的瀑布發聲，深淵就與深淵響應，祢的波浪洪濤漫過我身。」（有些註解對這節中「波浪洪濤」的解釋是「災難困苦」）這個回應讓詩人馬上歡喜的說：「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43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。
42篇和43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？

Praising Scripture - Dec 17

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 42:1-5
（Memorization Scripture 5）
To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation of the sons of Korah.
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.

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

The psalmist is saddened even more recalling a time when he and the people headed to the temple of God singing 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 a 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 might seem that we will never get back to those reviving and glorious moments when we 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, reminds our worried heart to “Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance” (v. 5). We too are sinners saved by grace, and God will not remember our rebellion to Him. When we are still wandering in the wilderness and as long as our soul pants for His presence, He will be there as always helping us with His countenance.

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 42:1-5
(背誦經文:5)
可拉後裔的訓誨詩，交於伶長。
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42篇和43篇是一首詩的上和下，前後呼應。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可拉後裔。從大衛的時代開始，這些人中有部分是在 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5節的頌讚。第5節在這兩首詩篇中是一個副歌，被重複了3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， 神不記念我們的悖逆，'當我們流盪在外時，只要我們的心一回轉向祂，祂就還是一如以往的用祂的笑臉幫助我們。

Daily Scripture - Jan 1

Ps1 Matt1-2 Gen1-2


2 Corinthians 5:16-19
(Memorization Scripture 17)
16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

One chapter of Proverbs per day in January: Proverbs 1

<年度讀經計畫>
詩1 太1-2 創世紀1-2

<每日經文>

元月份每日讀一章箴言：箴言 1

Daily Scripture - Jan 1

Ps1 Matt1-2 Gen1-2


2 Corinthians 5:16-19
(Memorization Scripture 17)
16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

One chapter of Proverbs per day in January: Proverbs 1

<年度讀經計畫>
詩1 太1-2 創1-2

<每日經文>

元月份每日讀一章箴言：箴言 1

Praising Scripture - Dec 16

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 29:1-11
（Memorization Scripture 10-11）
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.

【Reflection】 On stormy nights, we tend to focus on our difficulties and losses getting trapped by weaknesses and afflictions. These lead us to complain and even grow distant from God, and yet, the psalmist tells us that even in times of trouble we ought to praise the Lord. It is a great challenge to praise the Lord in difficulty unless we have the habit of praising 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 (Rom. 8:28).

In this psalm, David mentioned the voice of the Lord several 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 children of God should not be afraid of these difficulties which will not last, but rather, we should praise giving to the Lord the glory due His name. “The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.” (v. 10). God loves us so much and He will give strength to His people and bless His people with peace.

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 29:1-11
(背誦經文:10-11)
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，以聖潔的妆飾敬拜耶和華。
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。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。
大衛在這裡多次提到「耶和華的聲音大有能力、滿有威嚴…」來提醒我們 神的榮耀和能力，大過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。

Praising Scripture - Dec 15

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 37:1-11
（Memorization Scripture 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.

【Reflection】 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. By the time we get to see God’s will and start to care, it is still likely we don’t fully agree or cannot follow it. What God regards as 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 “fret not” appears 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 abides 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, “Be still before 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 our 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.”

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 37:1-11
(背誦經文:3-6)
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11節裡就有3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」！

Praising Scripture - Dec 14

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 89:1-4,20-29,51-52
（Memorization Scripture 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.

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,“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 forevermore! 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 those found by God. Breaking of bread is the mark of God’s love on us, reminding us that God has made an everlasting covenant through the blood of His son Jesus Christ with us. Because of what God has done for us, we can come and cry to Him, ‘You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.’

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 89:1-4,20-29,51-52
(背誦經文:27-29)
1 我要歌唱耶和華的慈愛直到永遠，我要用口將祢的信實傳於萬代。
2 因我曾說：「祢的慈悲必建立到永遠，祢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 我要建立祢的後裔直到永遠，要建立祢的寶座直到萬代。」（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：『祢是我的父，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，祢的仇敵用這羞辱，羞辱了祢的僕人，羞辱了祢受膏者的腳蹤。
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。」

Praising Scripture - Dec 13

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 40:6-11
（Memorization Scripture 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.

【Reflection】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 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 God has chosen to reveal His will to David and put it within his heart.

Praise You, dear God who has opened our ears! Today, 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 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.

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 40:6-11
(背誦經文:6-8)
6 祭物和禮物，祢不喜悅，祢已經開通我的耳朵。
燔祭和贖罪祭非祢所要。
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，我樂意照祢的旨意行，祢的律法在我心裡。」
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，這是祢所知道的。
10 我未曾把祢的公義藏在心裡，我已陳明祢的信實和祢的救恩，
我在大會中未曾隱瞞祢的慈愛和誠實。
11 耶和華啊，求祢不要向我止住祢的慈悲。
願祢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，我們讚美祢，因為祢開通了我們的耳朵！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，我們讚美祢！為著祢的公義，祢的信實，祢的拯救！
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 神獻上讚美！讓我們在大會中不住地讚美 神，直到所有的受造都聽見與我們一起讚美！

Praising Scripture - Dec 12

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 132:1-9,13-18
（Memorization Scripture 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.
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.”

【Reflection】There have been a lot of difficulties and tribulations in the journey of serving the Lord and His church; sometimes we might feel discouraged. But God always speaks to us at some crucial moment and shows us what He wants. This psalm is one of them. Back in 2005, when we were buying the church building, God once again spoke to us through this psalm. It seemed that we 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!

Having spent his life in war, David knew well and worried 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? 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, and 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.

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 132:1-9,13-18
(背誦經文:13-18)
1 耶和華啊，求祢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 我們要進祂的居所，在祂腳凳前下拜。
8 耶和華啊，求祢興起，和祢有能力的約櫃同入安息之所！
9 願祢的祭司披上公義！願祢的聖民歡呼！
…
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】在我們跟隨和服事主的歷程中，會遭遇許多困境和磨難，有時候會讓人覺得氣餒。但是 神總是在關鍵時刻，對我們說話，讓我們看見祂要什麼，這首詩篇是其中之一。在2005年教會買會所的過程中， 神就是再一次用這首詩篇對教會說話，讓我們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呢？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。

Praising Scripture - Dec 11

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 122:1-9
（Memorization Scripture 1-3）
1 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.”
2 Our feet have been standing, Within your gates, O Jerusalem!
3 Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together,
4 Where the tribes go up, The tribes of the Lord,To the Testimony of Israel,
To give thanks to the name of the Lord.
5 For thrones are set there for judgment,The thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.
7 Peace be within your walls,Prosperity within your palaces.”
8 For the sake of my brethren and companions,I will now say, “Peace be within you.”
9 Because of the house of the Lord our God,I will seek your good.

【Reflection】 Psalms 120 to 134 are songs of ascent. These songs profoundly reflect how thankful they were to God when those captive holy people returned to Jerusalem! Psalm 122, a pilgrimage song written by David, records the songs the Israelites sung to God along the way when they were heading upwards to the temple of God, which vividly illustrates their love for Jerusalem. As soon as the psalmist came to God, he rejoiced and rejoiced because he loved God and loved the temple of God. Therefore, the psalmist was so happy when he heard someone say "Let us go to the house of the Lord!". He rejoiced when they were built up together in the holy city, "as a city that is bound firmly together". Hallelujah! As usual, the twelve tribes of Israel headed to the temple of God, praising the name of the Lord in front of His throne. In the meantime, David appealed to all to seek peace for Jerusalem and blessings for companions.

Hopefully, our hearts will be stirred up by David, so that we can come together to love God and God's house, often worship and praise God in His temple, and pray together for the church saying, "Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you! Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!" This is David's prayer, which shall also be our prayer today.

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 122:1-9
(背誦經文:1-3)
1 人對我說「我們往耶和華的殿去。」我就歡喜。
2 耶路撒冷啊，我們的腳站在你的門內。
3 耶路撒冷被建造，如同連絡整齊的一座城。
4 眾支派，就是耶和華的支派，上那裡去，按以色列的常例
稱讚耶和華的名。
5 因為在那裡設立審判的寶座，就是大衛家的寶座。
6 你們要為耶路撒冷求平安：「耶路撒冷啊，愛你的人必然興旺。
7 願你城中平安，願你宮內興旺！」
8 因我弟兄和同伴的緣故，我要說：「願平安在你中間！」
9 因耶和華我們 神殿的緣故，我要為你求福。

【心得分享】詩篇120篇至134篇是上行之詩，本類詩深刻反映出被擄的聖民，他們歸回耶路撒冷時，對 神感恩之心！詩篇122篇是大衛所寫的朝聖詩，記載了以色列人往 神的殿上行時，邊行走邊頌讚 神的詩歌，生動地表達他們對耶路撒冷的愛慕。詩人一來到 神的面前，就歡喜快樂，因他愛 神，也愛 神的殿。所以詩人一聽到有人對他說「我們往耶和華的殿去」，他的心就非常歡喜。當他們進入聖城一同被建造時，「如同連絡整齊的一座城」，他就大大歡喜。哈利路亞！以色列的十二個支派照常例上到 神的殿中，在祂的寶座前同聲讚美耶和華的名。同時，大衛呼籲眾人要為耶路撒冷求平安，為同伴求祝福。
甚願我們的心都被大衛挑旺，一起來愛 神、愛 神的家，並常常到 神的殿中敬拜、讚美 神，同心為教會揚聲禱告：「耶路撒冷啊，愛你的人必然興旺。願你城中平安，願你宮內興旺！」這是大衛的禱告，也當是今日你我的禱告。

Praising Scripture - Dec 10

Paising Month Introduction...

Psalm 84:1-12
（Memorization Scripture 1-4）
1 How lovely is Your tabernacle,O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longs, yes, even faints, For the courts of the Lord;
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
3 Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself,
Where she may lay her young— Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts,
My King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in Your house;They will still be praising You. Selah
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca,They make it a spring;
The rain also covers it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength;Each one appears before God in Zion.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
9 O God, behold our shield, And look upon the face of Your anointed.
10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;The Lord will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He withhold, From those who walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts,Blessed is the man who trusts in You!

【Reflection】Christians love to sing this precious psalm that speaks of being in God’s presence. However it was written by the descendants of people (the sons of Korah) who once were far from God. This is a powerful testimony to God’s amazing grace. Through all of the shame and sorrow they experienced and through God’s chastening, the Korahites learned to respond and serve God in a new, positive way. They found the presence of God so precious that they could sincerely proclaim to God, “For a day in Your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” (v. 10)

They came before God with such a humble attitude. Acknowledging their lowly state by comparing themselves with sparrows and swallows. They gave thanks because such a mighty and holy God would allow sparrows and swallows to make a home in His holy altar. It is this that leads the psalmist to burst forth in praise, “Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing Your praise!”. (v. 4)

May we too, so eagerly long to be in His presence. “How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.” (vv.1-2)

【讚美月簡介】...

詩篇 84:1-12
(背誦經文:1-4)
1 萬軍之耶和華啊，祢的居所何等可愛！
2 我羨慕渴想耶和華的院宇，我的心腸、我的肉體向永生 神呼籲
（註：或作“歡呼”）。
3 萬軍之耶和華，我的王、我的 神啊，在祢祭壇那裡，麻雀為自己找著房屋，
燕子為自己找著菢雛之窩。
4 如此住在祢殿中的，便為有福，他們仍要讚美祢！〔細拉〕
5 靠祢有力量、心中想往錫安大道的，這人便為有福！
6 他們經過流淚谷，叫這谷變為泉源之地，並有秋雨之福蓋滿了全谷。
7 他們行走，力上加力，各人到錫安朝見 神。
8 耶和華萬軍之 神啊，求祢聽我的禱告。雅各的 神啊，求祢留心聽。〔細拉〕
9 神啊，祢是我們的盾牌，求祢垂顧觀看祢受膏者的面。
10 在祢的院宇住一日，勝似在別處住千日。寧可在我 神殿中看門，
不願住在惡人的帳棚裡。
11 因為耶和華 神是日頭，是盾牌，要賜下恩惠和榮耀。
祂未嘗留下一樣好處, 不給那些行動正直的人。
12 萬軍之耶和華啊，倚靠祢的人便為有福！

【心得分享】 這首流傳千古的詩歌，卻是由一群曾經背叛 神的人留下的後裔而寫的，他們被稱為可拉的後裔，這個名字本身就是在見證 神的恩典。在經過許多的羞辱、痛苦和 神的管教之後，他們學習用一個全新的、更積極的態度來回應 神、事奉 神！他們在乎 神的同在，因此向 神宣告說：「在祢的院宇住一日，勝似在別處住千日。寧可在我 神殿中看門，不願住在惡人的帳棚裡。」
他們帶著一個謙卑的態度來到 神的面前，用麻雀、燕子來比喻自己的渺小、沒有價值；同時也在這裏向 神感恩 - 這麽偉大聖潔的 神，居然允許渺小的麻雀、燕子來到祂聖潔的祭壇那裡築窩居住！因此，詩人忍不住在那裡稱頌 神說：「如此住在祢殿中的，便為有福，他們仍要讚美祢！」。
盼望今天我們也同樣強烈地渴慕 神的同在！萬軍之耶和華啊，祢的居所何等可愛！我羨慕渴想耶和華的院宇，我的心腸、我的肉體向永生 神呼籲！

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！