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Psalms Глава 138
서론
Psalm 138 Introduction
繁體中文
Английский оригинал
This is the first of a series of eight psalms Ps. 138-145, placed together in this part of the book, and ascribed to David. They appear to be of the nature of a supplement to the Book of Psalms, composed of psalms unknown to the original collector and arranger of the book, and subsequently discovered and ascertained to be the works of David. It is not to be regarded as strange that there should be psalms of this nature David at different periods which might have been preserved in different branches of his family, and which might not have been generally known to exist. It is rare that the works of an author, especially a poet, are collected and published, and that things of this kind - fugitive and occasional pieces - are not subsequently found; nor is it very unusual that such pieces may, after all, be among the most tender, touching, and beautiful of his compositions. Burns' Highland Mary," so much admired, and his "When wild War's deadly blast was blown," a poem which no one can read without tears - with not a few others of his, are of this description. They are said, in his Biography, to have been "extracted from the correspondence of Burns." (Works of Robert Burns, Philad., 1834, pp. 76, 85, 89.)
The occasion on which this psalm was composed cannot now be determined. It was evidently written in view of trouble Psalm 138:3, Psalm 138:7, and it expresses confidence that God would interpose in the future in behalf of the author, as he had done in the past; and it is, therefore, adapted to inspire confidence and hope in all who are called to pass through scenes of trial. The psalm does not admit of any particular analysis.
1
Psalm 138:1
繁體中文
「我要一心稱謝你」——在他心中不留任何東西要歸給偶像或別神。凡構成把神當作神來頌讚的一切，他都只願單單向祂呈獻。他不願使用任何暗示相信另有其他神存在的言語，也不願懷有任何這樣的情感；他不容自己沉溺於任何與對神至高的愛慕不相稱、或足以把他的情感從祂身上引開的依戀。參見 Psalm 9:1 的註釋。
「在諸神面前歌頌你」——即眾偶像；一切偶像；他寧向耶和華獻上頌讚，而不取它們中的任何一個。這並非說他要在別神面前這樣行；而是說，與它們任何一位或全部相比，耶和華才當被承認為神。
Английский оригинал
I will praise thee with my whole heart - Reserving nothing m my heart to give to idols or to other gods. All that constitutes praise to God as God, he would address to him alone. He would use no language, and cherish no feeling, which implied a belief that there was any other God; he would indulge in no attachment which would be inconsistent with supreme attachment to God, or which would tend to draw away his affections from him. See the notes at Psalm 9:1.
Before the gods will I sing praise unto thee - The idols; all idols; in preference to them all. This does not mean that he would do this in the presence of other gods; but that Yahweh should be acknowledged to be God in preference to any or all of them.
2
Psalm 138:2
繁體中文
「我要下拜」——我要俯身敬拜。
「向你的聖殿」——參閱 Psalm 5:7 的註釋。此處的「聖殿」一詞無疑是指會幕。
「為你的慈愛稱讚你的名」——為你的恩慈、你的憐憫、你的仁愛而稱讚你。
「又為你的誠實」——為你的真實；為你對應許的信實。
「因你使你的話顯為大」——你使它成為尊大。比較 Isaiah 42:21。此處所指是神的諸應許，特別是神對大衛所作、彌賽亞將由他而出的應許。比較 2 Samuel 7。
「超乎你的名」——超乎你所作的一切別的事；超乎你向我或向世界顯明你自己的其他一切彰顯。此處的「名」一詞，恰當地說當指神為使人認識他自己所行的一切——因為我們乃是藉著名字來指稱或辨別任何人；照這樣理解，其含義便是：神的話——他關於自己以及他對人類恩慈旨意的啟示——在清晰與重要性上，超越他對自己的其他一切彰顯，超越在他的作為中所能認識關於他的一切。無可置疑的是，在啟示的書卷中，神對他自己、他的存在、他的完全、他的旨意，有比他的作為所顯明或所能顯明的更高、更清楚的彰顯。比較 Psalm 19:1-14。關於神，有許多對人類有最高利益的事，科學的發現對之不能發出一絲亮光；有許多人渴望知道的事，在哲學的學府中永遠學不到；有許多人在苦難世界中所需要的安慰，在自然界中無法尋見；尤其是那關乎罪如何得赦免、靈魂如何得救的知識，是吹管、望遠鏡或顯微鏡所永遠無法揭示的。這些事若要學得，就必須從啟示中學習；而對於一個通往另一世界的客旅而言，這些事比在哲學學府中所能獲得的一切學問——儘管那學問有其價值——都更為重要。
Английский оригинал
I will worship - I will bow down and adore.
Toward thy holy temple - See the notes at Psalm 5:7. The word temple here undoubtedly refers to the tabernacle.
And praise thy name for thy loving-kindness - Praise thee for thy benignity; thy mercy; thy benevolence.
And for thy truth - Thy truthfulness; thy faithfulness to thy promises.
For thou hast magnified thy word - Thou hast made it great. Compare Isaiah 42:21. The reference here is to the promises of God, and especially to the promise which God had made to David that the Messiah would descend from him. Compare 2 Samuel 7.
Above all thy name - Above all else that thou hast done; above all the other manifestations of thyself to me or to the world. The word name here would refer properly to all that God had done to make himself known - since it is by the name that we designate or distinguish anyone; and, thus understood, the meaning would be, that the word of God - the revelation which he has made of himself and of his gracious purposes to mankind - is superior in clearness, and in importance, to all the other manifestations which he has made of himself; all that can be known of him in his works. Beyond all question there are higher and clearer manifestations of himself, of his being, of his perfection, of his purposes, in the volume of revelation, than any which his works have disclosed or can disclose. Compare Psalm 19:1-14. There are very many points in relation to God, of the highest interest to mankind, on which the disclosures of science shed no light; there are many things which it is desirable for man to know, which calmer be learned in the schools of philosophy; there are consolations which man needs in a world of trouble which cannot be found in nature; there is especially a knowledge of the method by which sin may be pardoned, and the soul saved, which can never be disclosed by the blow-pipe, the telescope, or the microscope. These things, if learned at all must be learned from revelation, and these are of more importance to man as a traveler to another world than all the learning which can be acquired in the schools of philosophy - valuable as that learning is.
3
Psalm 138:3
繁體中文
「我呼求的日子」——指他生平中先前處於患難裏的某段時期。
「你應允我」——意即就在我呼求的那一天，你賜下了答覆；也就是說，你立刻應允。
「使我心裏有能力」——字面意思是「你用力量使我壯膽」，或「你用力量使我勇敢」。你使我能夠面對危險，勝過懼怕。看來這很可能是在某次他因仇敵而身處危險之時。
Английский оригинал
In the day when I cried - Referring to some former period of his life when he was in trouble.
Thou answeredst me - In the very day when I called, thou gavest me the answer: that is, immediately.
And strengthenedst me with strength in my soul - literally, "Thou didst embolden - or, didst make me courageous with strength." Thou didst enable me to meet danger, and to overcome fear. It would seem probable that this was on some occasion when he was in danger from his enemies.
4
Psalm 138:4
繁體中文
「地上的君王都要稱謝你……」——意即，君王、首領和掌權者必學習應許的言語；必得以認識你施恩所說的話及其應驗，並因而受引導稱謝你。這是指聖經中屢屢預言式提到的一個時候：那時君王和掌權者必歸信真宗教，並以他們的榜樣和影響力，在維護和傳揚真宗教的事上扮演重要的角色。比較詩篇 68:31-32；以賽亞書 49:23。
Английский оригинал
All the kings of the earth shall praise thee ... - That is, kings, princes, and rulers shall learn the words of promise; shall be made acquainted with the words which thou hast graciously spoken, and with their fulfillment, and shall be led to praise thee. This refers to a time, of which frequent prophetic mention is made in the Scriptures, when kings and rulers shall be converted to the true religion, and when they shall act an important part, by their example and influence, in maintaining and diffusing it. Compare Psalm 68:31-32; Isaiah 49:23.
5
Psalm 138:5
繁體中文
「他們要歌頌耶和華的作為」——即在神所定規的道路中歌唱。他們要與一切愛祂的人——與百姓中最卑微的人——一同承認神。君王與百姓將要在共同的讚美行動中同樣向神屈身，如同在祂面前站在同一水平上。作為人、作為罪人、作為蒙救贖者、作為走向墳墓的客旅，他們在神面前全然相同。
「因耶和華大有榮耀」——祂的屬性偉大，祂的尊嚴偉大，祂的尊榮偉大；當位分最尊榮的人也這樣敬拜尊崇祂時，這一切都必顯為如此。地上最崇高的人也必承認有一位比他們更崇高，這樣，他們自己的尊嚴與華美便有助於加深人對神之尊榮與榮耀的印象。
Английский оригинал
Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord - In the ways which God has appointed. They shall join with all that love him - with the humblest of the people - in acknowledging God. Kings and people shall thus bow before God in common acts of praise, and as being on the same level before him. As people, as sinners, as redeemed, as traveling to the grave, they are all alike before God.
For great is the glory of the Lord - Great is his character; great his dignity; great his honor; and all this will be seen to be so when those of most exalted rank thus worship and adore him. The most lofty on earth shall acknowledge that there is one who is more exalted than they are, and their own dignity and splendor shall thus contribute to deepen the impression of the honor and glory of God.
6
Psalm 138:6
繁體中文
耶和華雖然至高——這話也可譯作「因為耶和華至高——他看顧謙卑人——卻從遠處認識驕傲人」。其意念是：神——如此高舉至尊——察看並認識人中各階層的一切人。詩人的心深受神偉大與威嚴之感，但（彷彿有人會說，這樣偉大的一位必不會眷顧如此卑微渺小的人）他補充說：神的高舉並不妨礙他注目人的事：今生卑微的人不必懼怕被忽略；驕傲的人也不要指望逃過他眼的察看。
仍看顧低微的人——指今生卑微的人；無名的；不為人知的。這裏不是說他對他們有什麼特殊的恩寵，只是說他看見他們。他們低微無名的境況，不能攔阻他對他們的注意；他們無須害怕被他忽略、或被遺忘。參閱 James 4:6 的註釋；1 Peter 5:5 的註釋。
至於驕傲的人——指地位高、心氣高的人；狂傲的人。
他從遠處就認識——即從遠處。他雖高居——雖在天上——卻非遙遠得看不見他們、不全然認識他們。與他的距離對他們毫無保護作用；惡人也不能因神統管遙遠的諸世界，就指望逃過他的注意。
Английский оригинал
Though the Lord be high - This might be rendered "For lofty is Yahweh - and the humble he sees - and the proud he knows from afar." The idea is, that God - so high and exalted - sees and knows all of every rank among people. The mind of the psalmist had been impressed with a sense of the greatness and majesty of God, but (as if it might be said that one so great could not regard man, so humble and insignificant) he adds, that the fact of God's exaltation does not prevent his noticing the affairs of people: that the lowly in life need not fear lest they should be overlooked; the proud need not hope that they will escape the notice of his eye.
Yet hath he respect unto the lowly - Those in humble life; the obscure; the unknown. It does not mean here that he has any special favor toward them, but merely that he sees them. Their low and obscure condition does not prevent his observing them, and they need have no fear that he will overlook them, or that they will be forgotten. Compare the notes at James 4:6; notes at 1 Peter 5:5.
But the proud - Those of lofty rank, and of lofty feelings; the haughty.
He knoweth afar off - From afar. Though he is exalted - though he is in heaven - yet he is not so far removed but that he sees them, and knows them altogether. Distance from him is no protection for them; nor can the wicked hope to escape notice from the fact that God reigns over distant worlds.
7
Psalm 138:7
繁體中文
「我雖行在患難中」——意即，我即使身處憂傷的低谷，也不會被忽視或遺忘。這暗示作者當時正陷於患難之中，並表達了一種確信：無論他何時陷入患難，上帝都必記念他，賜他生命與力量。
「你必使我存活」——你必使我不致死亡，你必賜我生命。見 Psalm 30:3。並比較 Psalm 71:20 的註釋。其意義是：你必賜我生命——活力——力量——使我能以承受這患難。
「你必伸手」——如同人將要揮出一擊時伸手一般。
「抵擋我仇敵的怒氣……」——這是論到他們一切要毀滅我的企圖。你必以你的大能迎向他們的怒氣，而我必安然無恙。
Английский оригинал
Though I walk in the midst of trouble - Though I am in the low vale of sorrow, I shall not be overlooked or forgotten. This implies that the writer was then in trouble, and it expresses the conviction that whenever he should be in trouble God would remember him, and give him life and strength.
Thou wilt revive me - Thou wilt cause me to live; thou wilt give me life. Psalm 30:3. Compare the notes at Psalm 71:20. The meaning is, Thou wilt give me life - vigor - strength - to bear the trouble.
Thou shalt stretch forth thine hand - As one does when he is about to inflict a blow.
Against the wrath of mine enemies ... - In reference to all their attempts to destroy me. Thou wilt meet their wrath by thy power, and I shall be safe.
8
Psalm 138:8
繁體中文
「耶和華必成全關乎我的事」——祂必成全祂所開始的工。祂不會開始為我介入,隨後又丟棄我。祂不會應許拯救我,隨後又不履行祂的應許。祂不會鼓勵我,隨後又棄絕我。我們也是這樣。祂必成全祂所開始的工。祂不會使一個靈魂歸信,然後任憑他滅亡。「恩典必成全恩典所開始的工。」見 Philippians 1:6 的註釋。
「耶和華啊,你的慈愛永遠長存」——見 Psalm 136:1 的註釋。
「求你不要離棄你手所造的」——即你所造的;你所開始作的。不要任憑我滅亡。禱告是聖徒蒙保守直到救恩的憑藉之一——而且是不可少的憑藉。「聖徒的堅忍」教義與禱告並不矛盾,反倒促進禱告;人若自稱倚靠那教義,又自覺穩妥到無需禱告、也不禱告的地步,就是確切地表明自己從未歸信,也沒有真實的信仰。
Английский оригинал
The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me - He will complete what he has begun. He will not begin to interpose in my behalf, and then abandon me. He will not promise to save me, and then fail to fulfill his promise. He will not encourage me, and then cast me off. So of us. He will complete what he begins. He will not convert a soul, and then leave it to perish. "Grace will complete what grace begins." See the notes at Philippians 1:6.
Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever - See the notes at Psalm 136:1.
Forsake not the works of thine own hands - What thou hast made; what thou hast begun to do. Do not leave me to perish. Prayer is one of the means - and an essential means - by which the saints are to be kept unto salvation. The doctrine of the "perseverance of the saints." is not inconsistent with prayer, but rather prompts to it; and he who professes to rely on that doctrine, and feels so safe that he does not need to pray, and does not pray, gives certain evidence that he has never been converted, and has no true religion.
這是連續八篇詩（Ps. 138-145）中的第一篇；這八篇詩在詩篇的這一部分被編排在一起，都歸於大衛名下。它們看來是詩篇的某種補遺，由原初收集並編排詩篇的人所不知道的詩篇組成，後來才被發現並確定為大衛的作品。大衛在不同時期所寫的這類性質的詩篇，可能保存在他家族的不同支系中，而其存在未為一般人所知；這不應被視為奇怪的事。一位作者——尤其是詩人——的作品一經收集出版，而這類零星應景之作竟不曾於其後被發現，那是罕見的；而這樣的作品終究可能成為作者最溫柔、最動人、最優美的篇章之一，也並非很不尋常。彭斯（Burns）備受讚賞的《高地瑪麗》（Highland Mary），以及他那首無人能不流淚而讀的《當狂暴戰爭的致命風暴吹起時》，連同他不少其他作品，都屬於這一類。據他的傳記所載，這些詩是「從彭斯的書信中輯出」的（Works of Robert Burns, Philad., 1834, pp. 76, 85, 89）。
本詩的寫作場合如今無法確定。它顯然是在患難中所寫（Psalm 138:3；Psalm 138:7），並表達了作者確信神在將來必像過去一樣為他施行干預；因此，它適於激發一切蒙召經歷試煉之境遇之人的信心與盼望。本詩無法作特別的分析。