서론
Psalm 143 Introduction
繁體中文
英文原文
This psalm also is entitled "A Psalm of David." There is, however, no intimation in the title as to the time or the occasion on which it was composed. In the Septuagint version, and the Latin Vulgate, it is said to have been written "when Absalom his son persecuted him." There is nothing in the psalm inconsistent with this supposition, nor is there anything which necessarily restricts the application to that period of life. It would seem most natural that it should refer to the same trials as the previous psalm; and the sentiments in it are as applicable to the persecutions under Saul as to the rebellion of Absalom. There can be no doubt that it was composed when he was in danger and in trouble on account of malignant and powerful enemies; and it is of the same general character as many in the collection that were composed on those occasions. It is a psalm written in trouble; and, in a world like this, there will be always many hearts that can fully sympathize with the sentiments which are expressed in it.
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Psalm 143:1
繁體中文
「耶和華啊，求你聽我的禱告，留心聽……」——參見 Psalm 4:1 的註釋，以及 Psalm 5:1 的註釋。
「憑你的信實應允我」——就是說，顯明你對你應許的信實。神曾向大衛賜下恩慈的應許（試參 Psalm 89:19-37），如今他懇求神記念那些應許，並照祂所說過的為他成全。神也向祂的子民賜下了恩慈的應許，他們總可以援引這些應許，作為蒙垂聽、蒙應允的理由。
「和公義」——試參 Psalm 31:1。即憑你行義的心意；憑你為義的案件伸冤、在錯事發生時介入的心意。我們雖在神面前是罪人，卻可以覺得，就我們對同胞而言，我們的案件是正直的；當我們受了冤屈，可以求神以公義者的身分為我們介入。然而，我們不能求祂基於我們對祂自己的義而拯救我們，因為我們沒有這樣的義。參見 Psalm 143:2。
英文原文
Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear ... - See Psalm 4:1, note; Psalm 5:1, note.
In thy faithfulness answer me - That is, Show thy faithfulness to thy promises. God had made gracious promises to David (compare Psalm 89:19-37), and he now pleads that he would remember those promises, and accomplish in his behalf what he had said he would. God has also made gracious promises to his people, and they may always plead those promises as a reason why they should be heard, and why their prayers should be answered.
And in thy righteousness - Compare Psalm 31:1. In thy disposition to do right; to vindicate a righteous cause; to interpose when wrong is done. We, though sinners before God, may feel that our cause is a just one as toward our fellowmen, and, when wronged, we may ask God to interpose, as a righteous God, in our behalf. We cannot, however, ask him to save us on the ground of our righteousness toward him, for we have no such righteousness. See Psalm 143:2.
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Psalm 143:2
繁體中文
「求你不要審問僕人」——求你不要按著我對「你」的公義標準來對待我；當我懇求你在我與同類之間施行公義時，求你不要追討我對你自己的過犯。我一面懇求你在我與他們之間按公義審判，一面卻意識到：我斷不能以對你有任何義行為根據，來要求你施予所需的干預。在你面前，我必須承認自己是罪人；在你面前，我惟獨能倚靠憐憫；在你面前，我不能指望稱義。
「因為在你面前」——如在你跟前；在你的同在中；由你來看。
「凡活著的人」——這人類中沒有一個，無論他的地位、他外表的行為、他的溫文、他的和藹、他的仁慈；無論他對同類的人多麼公義正直。
「是義的」——被視為義人；得免罪責；被判為無辜。其意思是：「我不是來到你面前，以對你有任何要求為根據而懇求你的恩寵，因為我意識到自己是罪人，我惟一的盼望在乎你的憐憫。」試參 Romans 3:20 的註釋。試比較 Job 4:17；Job 9:2、Job 9:20；Job 15:14-16；Job 25:4-6。這是關於人的一項重大而嚴肅的真理；它是藉贖罪而設救恩方案的必要性的根基——是人「得以」被正當地視為義、被待如義人的某種途徑。確實，每一個認識自己本相的人，都可以、也應當懇切求告神「不要」與他爭訟；求祂不追討他的過犯；求祂不按嚴格公義所要求的審判他。我們的盼望在乎神的「憐憫」，不在乎神的「公義」。
英文原文
And enter not into judgment with thy servant - Do not deal with me on the ground of justice as toward "thee;" do not mark my own offences against thee, when I plead that justice may be done as between me and my fellow-men. While I plead that thou wouldst judge righteously between me and them, I am conscious that I could not claim thy needed interposition on the ground of any righteousness toward thee. There I must confess that I am a sinner; there I can rely only on mercy; there I could not hope to be justified.
For in thy sight - As before thee; in thy presence; by thee.
Shall no man living - No one of the race, no matter what his rank, his outward conduct, his gentleness, his amiableness, his kindness; no matter how just and upright he may be toward his fellow-men.
Be justified - Be regarded as righteous; be acquitted from blame; be held to be innocent. The meaning is, "I do not come before thee and plead for thy favor on the ground of any claim on thee, for I am conscious that I am a sinner, and that my only hope is in thy mercy." See the notes at Romans 3:20. Compare Job 4:17; Job 9:2, Job 9:20; Job 15:14-16; Job 25:4-6. This is a great and momentous truth in regard to man; it is the foundation of the necessity for a plan of salvation through an atonement - for some way in which man "may" properly be regarded and treated as righteous. Assuredly every man, conscious of what he is in himself, may and should fervently pray that God "would" not enter into judgment with him; that he would not mark his offences; that he would not judge him as strict justice would demand. Our hope is in the "mercy," not in the "justice" of God.
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Psalm 143:3
繁體中文
「原來仇敵逼迫我」——就是逼迫我；索求我的性命。
「將我打倒在地」——他彷彿把我踐踏在地。譯作「打倒」的字，意思是打碎、搗細、壓碎。見 Psalm 72:4；Psalm 89:10；Job 6:9。他的性命似乎要被壓榨殆盡，如同一個被踐踏在地的人一樣。
「使我住在幽暗之處」——他使我的生命如同住在黑暗中之人的一樣；他使它成為悲哀的生命，以致我沒有安慰——沒有光。
「像死了許久的人一樣」——Lamentations 3:6 也有類似的說法：「他使我住在幽暗之處，像死了許久的人一樣。」那裏用的是同樣的希伯來字。譯作「許久」的字，意思是年代、時期、永恆：見 Psalm 139:24。此處的觀念是：他的境況如同那些久臥墳墓中的人——他們早已不再見任何光，他們的居所是全然絕對的幽暗。
英文原文
For the enemy hath persecuted my soul - Has persecuted me; has sought my life.
He hath smitten my life down to the ground - He has, as it were, trampled me down to the earth. The word rendered "smitten" means to break in pieces, to beat small, to crush. See Psalm 72:4; Psalm 89:10; Job 6:9. His very life seemed to be crushed out as one that is trodden down to the ground.
He hath made me to dwell in darkness - He has made my life like that of one who dwells in darkness; he has made it a life of sorrow, so that I have no comfort - no light.
As those that have been long dead - A similar expression occurs in Lamentations 3:6 : "He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old." The same Hebrew words are used. The word rendered "long" means, age, duration, eternity: Psalm 139:24. The idea here is, that his condition was like that of those who had been long in their graves; who had long since ceased to see any light; whose abode was utter and absolute gloom.
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Psalm 143:4
繁體中文
「所以，我的靈在我裡面發昏」——見詩篇 77:3 的註釋。比較詩篇 42:5-7。他的靈已被折斷壓碎。他對任何人間的幫助都處於絕望之中。
「我的心在我裡面淒慘」——我沒有安慰；沒有喜樂；沒有盼望。我的靈魂像無水的荒漠，寸草不生，只有岩石與沙土。
英文原文
Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me - See the notes at Psalm 77:3. Compare Psalm 42:5-7. His spirit was broken and crushed. He was in a state of despair as to any human help.
My heart within me is desolate - I have no comfort; no cheerfulness; no hope. My soul is like the waste desert where there is no water; where nothing grows; where there are only rocks and sands.
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Psalm 143:5
繁體中文
「我追想古時之日」——指從前的日子。
（1）與我如今的境況相對照；
（2）那是我呼求你、而你曾介入的日子；
（3）那也激勵我如今到你面前來，把我的事向你陳明。見詩篇 77:5-11；詩篇 42:4 的註釋。
「思想你的一切作為」……——即思想你所作的事；你在試煉之時恩慈的介入；你為我、為你百姓所顯的大能。我把這一切都記在心，記念你是不改變的神；你仍有一樣的能力；你能像當時那樣現在介入；並且，你既是不改變的神，在同樣的境況中你也必這樣行。因此，我到你面前來，求你為我介入。
英文原文
I remember the days of old - Former times.
(1) as contrasted with my present condition.
(2) as times when I called upon thee, and thou didst interpose.
(3) as encouraging me now to come to thee, and spread out my case before thee. See Psalm 77:5-11, note; Psalm 42:4, note.
I meditate on all thy works ... - On what thou hast done; on thy gracious interpositions in the time of trial; on the manifestations of thy power in my behalf, and in behalf of thy people. I call all this to mind, remembering that thou art an unchangeable God; that thou hast the same power still; that thou canst interpose now as thou didst then; and that, as an unchangeable God, thou wilt do it in the same circumstances. I, therefore, come to thee, and pray that thou wilt interpose in my behalf.
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Psalm 143:6
繁體中文
「我向你舉手」——即在禱告中。我別無可去之處。見 Psalm 88:9。
「我的心渴想你，如乾旱之地盼雨一樣」——如旱季的土地「彷彿」渴盼雨水。見 Psalm 63:1 的註釋。比較 Psalm 42:1。這裏譯作「乾旱」的字，本義是「疲乏」。其意是指一片看似疲乏的土地；沒有生長的活力；萬物似乎都已耗盡。同一個字見於 Isaiah 32:2：「如大磐石的影子在疲乏之地。」
英文原文
I stretch forth my hands unto thee - In prayer. I have nowhere else to go. See Psalm 88:9.
My soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land - As land in a time of drought "seems" to thirst for rain. See the notes at Psalm 63:1. Compare Psalm 42:1. The word rendered "thirsty" here means properly "weary." The idea is that of a land which seems to be weary; which has no vigor of growth; and where everything seems to be exhausted. The same word occurs in Isaiah 32:2 : "As the shadow of a great rock in a weary land."
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Psalm 143:7
繁體中文
「耶和華啊，求你速速應允我」——快快垂聽我，不要遲延。按字面是：「求你趕快，應允我。」我正處在迫近的危險中；求你不要遲延，前來救助。
「我心神耗盡」——我的力量正在衰殘；我支撐不住了；我快要放棄而死了。
「不要向我掩面」——不要拒絕恩待地看顧我，也不要遲延；求你使你的臉光照我。
「免得我像那些下坑的人一樣」——頁邊註作「因為我已像」。意思是：除非你使你的臉光照我——除非你介入幫助我——我必要死亡。這裏的「坑」指墳墓。見 Psalm 28:1 的註釋。
英文原文
"Hear me speedily, O Lord." Hasten to hear me; do not delay. Literally, "Hasten; answer me." I am in imminent danger. Do not delay to come to my relief.
My spirit faileth - My strength is declining. I can hold out no longer. I am ready to give up and die.
Hide not thy face from me - Do not refuse or delay to look favorably upon me; to lift up the light of thy countenance upon me.
Lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit - Margin, "For I am become like." The idea is, Unless thou shalt lift up the light of thy countenance - unless thou shalt interpose and help me, I shall die. The "pit" here refers to the grave. See the notes at Psalm 28:1.
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Psalm 143:8
繁體中文
「求你使我得聽你慈愛之言」 — 即你慈愛的聲音，你的憐憫與恩惠。容我聽見你以仁愛的言語對我說話，並賜下憐憫的保證。
「清晨」 — 即早；迅速；隨着晨光初露。願它彷彿是一天中的頭一件事；最先作成的事。其意不是說他要再等一天，而是說神要以一天開首的作為介入——正如人開展新的一天時那樣。見 Psalm 46:5 註釋，該處邊註為「當清晨顯現時」；希伯來文作「在清晨的面光中」。
「因我倚靠你」 — 我別無信心或倚靠的根據；但我信靠你。
「求你使我知道當行的路」 — 即安全的路；我在其中可尋得平安的路。見 Psalm 5:8 註釋。
英文原文
Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness - The voice of thy lovingkindness, or thy mercy and favor. Permit me to hear thee addressing me in the language of kindness, and with the assurances of mercy.
In the morning - Early; speedily; with the first rays of the morning. Let it be, as it were, the first thing in the day; the first thing that is done. The idea is not that he would wait for another day, but that he would interpose as the very first act - as when one enters on a day. See the notes at Psalm 46:5, where the margin is, when the morning appeareth; Hebrew, In the faces of the morning.
For in thee do I trust - I have no other confidence or ground of reliance; but I have confidence in thee.
Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk ... - The safe way; the way in which I may find safety. See the notes at Psalm 5:8.
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Psalm 143:9
繁體中文
「耶和華啊，求你救我脫離我的仇敵」——見 Psalm 69:14 的註釋。
「我往你那裏藏身」——邊註作「使我與你一同藏身」。希伯來文作「我在你那裏藏身」；就是說：我投靠你；我把自己置於你的保護之下；我既這樣行，便使自己得着安全，正如你本為安全一樣。見 Psalm 17:8 的註釋。參 Psalm 27:5；Psalm 31:20。
英文原文
Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies - See the notes at Psalm 69:14.
I flee unto thee to hide me - Margin, "Hide me with thee." The Hebrew is, I hide myself with thee; that is, I take refuge with thee; I put myself under thy protection; I make myself thus secure, as thou art secure. See the notes at Psalm 17:8. Compare Psalm 27:5; Psalm 31:20.
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Psalm 143:10
繁體中文
「求你指教我遵行你的旨意……」——即行那令你喜悅、蒙你悅納的事。意思是：在眼前的危急之中，求你指教我行你所認可的事，行有智慧的事，行最能保障我得蒙拯救與安全的事。
「你的靈本為善」——即引導那些倚靠你之人的靈；「你」用以引導世人的那靈。這靈是智慧的、明慎的、有判斷力的、可靠的。它必不引人走入歧途。求你將「那」靈賜給我，我便確知自己正走在正路之上。沒有確實的證據顯示詩人在此明確地指三位一體的第三位——聖靈；但這禱告乃是在黑暗困苦之日求從上而來的引導。這是承認自己須倚靠神的指引，並表達一種確信：在神的引導之下，他必不致迷路。
「求你引我到平坦之地」——在此更宜譯作「平坦之地」；即平地；我可以行走其上，而不遭遇如今所面臨的危險——我現在身處之地滿是埋伏、洞窟、巖石，敵人隨時可能襲擊我，而我卻無法看見仇敵，也無力自衛。這字譯作「平原」——意即平坦的鄉野——的用法，見以下各處：Deuteronomy 3:10；Deuteronomy 4:43；Joshua 13:9, Joshua 13:16-17, Joshua 13:21；1 Kings 20:23, 1 Kings 20:25；Psalm 27:11；Jeremiah 21:13；Jeremiah 48:8, Jeremiah 48:21；Zechariah 4:7。他所渴慕的，是彷彿被引到「平坦」之鄉，在那裡他可以安全。這並非如我們的譯本看似所示，是一個求神引導他過正直生活的禱告。那樣的禱告本身是恰當的，但並不是此處所獻的禱告。
英文原文
Teach me to do thy will ... - To do that which will be agreeable or pleasing to thee; which will meet with thy approbation. That is, Teach me in the present emergency to do that which thou wilt approve; which will be wise; which will be best adapted to secure my deliverance and my safety.
Thy spirit is good - The spirit which guides those who trust in thee; the spirit with which "thou" dost guide people. That spirit is wise, prudent, judicious, reliable. It will not lead astray. Grant me "that" spirit, and I shall be certain that I am going in the right path. There is no certain evidence that the psalmist here refers distinctively to the Holy Spirit, considered as the Third Person of the Trinity; but the prayer is one for guidance from on high in the day of darkness and trouble. It is an acknowledgment of dependence on God for direction, and the expression of confidence that under the divine guidance he would not go astray.
Lead me into the land of uprightness - Or rather here, "land of evenness;" level ground; ground where I may walk without the dangers to which I am exposed where I am now, in a place of ambuscades, caverns, rocks, where I may be assailed at any moment without the power of seeing my enemy, or of defending myself. See this use of the word in the following places where it is rendered "plain," meaning a level country, Deuteronomy 3:10; Deuteronomy 4:43; Joshua 13:9, Joshua 13:16-17, Joshua 13:21; 1 Kings 20:23, 1 Kings 20:25; Psalm 27:11; Jeremiah 21:13; Jeremiah 48:8, Jeremiah 48:21; Zechariah 4:7. He desired to be led, as it were, into a "level" country where he might be safe. It is not a prayer, as would seem from our translation, to be so guided that he might lead an upright life. Such a prayer is proper, but it is not the prayer offered here.
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Psalm 143:11
繁體中文
「耶和華啊，求你將我救活」——賜我生命。參 Ephesians 2:1 的註解。使我能以應付我的境況，因為我快要沉淪、快要屈服了。
「為你的名」——為你的尊榮。參 Daniel 9:17-18 的註解。這是為你的緣故。這樣你必顯明你的大能、你的信實、你的良善。這樣你必為自己得著榮耀。這是能感動我們的最高動機——叫神得榮耀。
「憑你的公義」——你的公正；你的真實；你履行應許與承諾時的信實。
「領我出患難」——脫離這患難與苦況。見 Psalm 25:17 的註解。
英文原文
Quicken me, O Lord - Give me life. Compare the notes at Ephesians 2:1. Make me equal to my circumstances, for I am ready to sink and to yield.
For thy name's sake - For thine honor. Compare the notes at Daniel 9:17-18. It is in thy cause. Thou wilt thus show thy power, thy faithfulness, thy goodness. Thou wilt thus get honor to thyself. This is the highest motive which can influence us - that God may be glorified.
For thy righteousness' sake - Thy justice; thy truth; thy faithfulness in performing thy promises and pledges.
Bring my soul out of trouble - Out of this trouble and distress. See the notes at Psalm 25:17.
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Psalm 143:12
繁體中文
憑你的慈愛——即向我施的慈愛，向世人施的慈愛。惡人的滅亡是對全宇宙的恩慈；正如逮捕懲治強盜或海盜，是對社會、對人類的慈愛；正如每一座監獄既是「公義」的彰顯，也是「憐憫」的彰顯——對整個社會是憐憫，對犯罪者是公義。
滅絕一切苦害我的人的——把他們剪除，使他們無力再作惡。
因我是你的僕人——不是出於私人的情感，不是為了個人報復，而是因為我在你的服事之中，惟有脫離這些危險，我才能如所願地榮耀你。這是你自己的事業；我求你剪除他們，「為要」使我能獻給你的事奉不受攔阻。
英文原文
And of thy mercy ... - Thy mercy to me; thy mercy to the world. The destruction of the wicked is a favor to the universe; just as the arrest and punishment of a robber or a pirate is a mercy to society, to mankind; just as every prison is a display of "mercy" as well as of "justice" - mercy to society at large; justice to the offenders.
And destroy all them that afflict my soul - Cut them off; render them powerless to do mischief.
For I am thy servant - Not as a matter of private feeling - not for personal revenge - but because I am in thy service, and it is only by being delivered from these dangers that I can honor thee as I would. It is thine own cause, and I ask that they may be cut off "in order" that the service which I might render thee may be unembarrassed.
這篇詩的標題也是「大衛的詩」。然而，標題中沒有關於其寫作時間或場合的任何提示。在七十士譯本與拉丁武加大譯本中，說它是「他兒子押沙龍迫害他時」寫的。詩中沒有什麼與這設想相抵觸之處，也沒有什麼必然把它的應用限制於他生平那個時期的東西。它所指的，似乎最自然是與前一篇詩相同的試煉；其中的情操既適用於掃羅治下的逼迫，也同樣適用於押沙龍的叛亂。無可懷疑，它是在他因狠毒而有權勢的仇敵而處於危險患難之中時寫的；它與詩集中許多在那些場合所寫的詩屬同一類型。這是一篇在患難中寫成的詩；在這樣一個世界上，總會有許多心靈能完全共鳴於其中所表達的情操。