Praising Scripture - Dec 31

Introduction...

Psalm 150:1-6 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, as in Laments, nor aggrieved fretting, as 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 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 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】...

12/31 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）

Praising Scripture - Dec 30

Introduction...

Psalm 147:1-11,19-20 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!

【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！

Praising Scripture - Dec 29

Introduction...

Psalm 146:1-10 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！」

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…，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。

Daily Scripture - Jan 1

Exodus 19:4-6a
You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6a And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

One chapter of Proverbs per day in January: Proverbs 1

出埃及記19:4-6a
我向埃及人所行的事，你們都看見了；且看見我如鷹將你們背在翅膀上，帶來歸我。 5 如今你們若實在聽從我的話，遵守我的約，就要在萬民中做屬我的子民，因為全地都是我的。 6a 你們要歸我做祭司的國度，為聖潔的國民。

元月份每日讀一章箴言：箴言 1

Daily Scripture - Dec 27

Acts 17:26-28a
26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28a for in Him we live and move and have our being, ...


使徒行傳17:26-28a
26 他從一本造出萬族的人，住在全地上，並且預先定準他們的年限和所住的疆界， 27 要叫他們尋求神，或者可以揣摩而得；其實他離我們各人不遠。 28a 我們生活、動作、存留，都在乎他...

Praising Scripture - Dec 27

Introduction...

Psalm 113:1-9 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。