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。