Weekly Devotion ( Psalm 55-59)
Dear Brothers and Sisters. This week we have been studying and thinking about the five "Psalms of David". These five psalms have a similar background theme, which is how David trusted God and prayed for His salvation in the midst of various life crises.
>
In Psalm 55, David is betrayed by a close friend and confidant, and this is his most heartbreaking moment of sorrow and anger. The psalmist writes, " For it is not an enemy that taunts me, for if it were an enemy, it could be endured; nor is it he who hates me that rages against me, for if it were he who hated me, he would be hid from me. But it is you! You were my equal, and my companion, and my friend. We have always talked with one another as sweetness, and we have walked with the crowd in the house of God" (Psalm 55:12-14).
Experiencing his former confidant, who had always talked sweetly, and who had an equal relationship of friendship in the temple, in the presence of God and the worshipping congregation, betraying himself, caused the psalmist to "ache in my heart, and the fear of death overcame me," and he wished he could have "grown wings, and fled to a place of refuge from the storm and the wind, and lodged in the wilderness" (Psalm 55:12-14), and to have "wings, and fled to a place of refuge from the wind and the storm, and lodged in the wilderness. I wish I had wings and could run quickly to a refuge, out of the storm, and rest in the wilderness".
Sometimes God may put someone close to Him through trials and tribulations that no ordinary person has ever experienced, in order to make him more committed to trusting God and to truly experience the taste of God's salvation in his life. Who are the ones who can pour out praises and prayers from the bottom of their hearts? It is those who have gone through great trials and endured the grace and love of God! "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he will never let the righteous falter. Thou wilt bring the wicked down to the pit of destruction, O ...... God; and he that sweats human blood, and practiseth deceit, shall not live half a lifetime. But I will trust in Thee." David's firm belief in God's justice and love became his light and hope in the midst of his sufferings. When Jesus came to earth, he also experienced betrayal by Judas, a disciple who had travelled with him for three years. Therefore, Hebrews 4:15 says, "For our High Priest (meaning Jesus Christ) is not insensitive to our weaknesses, but he was tempted in all things just as we are, except that he did not sin. Therefore let us come boldly and without fear to the throne of grace, to obtain mercy and favour, and to be a help at all times."
Dear brothers and sisters, this is a very important promise that God has made to us in the Bible. No matter what is going on in our lives, we can come to God and confess our sins, pray, or talk to Him. ...... The Lord understands, and He wants to lead us not just where we are, but higher, into the fullness of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and the presence of God.
>
Psalm 56
The context of Psalm 56 is 1 Sam 21:10-15, where David fled from Saul to Achish, king of Gath. In his fear of the Philistines and of Achish, the king of Gath, he feigned madness to escape persecution. On the one hand, the psalmist faced danger to his life and had human fears and worries; on the other hand, the psalmist had faith from God and trusted God! When Christians do not fear God, they are prone to fear and panic, even inexplicable panic, about others, about the environment, about themselves, and about the future. When a Christian truly fears God, as David did, fear does not embolden him, for "I trust in God, and will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Psalm 56:11).
The psalmist says: "When I am afraid, I will trust in you. I will trust in God, and I will praise His word." How easy it is to praise and sing from the heart in the midst of such difficult circumstances and darkness! God is gracious and merciful, and this is the theme expressed in the poem. "How many times I have strayed, you have remembered. Put my tears in your purse, won't it be written in your book?" (Psalm 56:8). (Psalm 56:8) This is a very touching verse. David's turbulent and turbulent life has enabled him to experience God's grace and mercy time and again.
Sometimes the darkness and hardship that falls on a believer is not entirely meaningless, and it was in this context that David's faith grew. "For You have saved my life from death. Did you not save my feet from falling, that I might walk before God in the light of life?" And likewise, when we are in the grip of sin. In the same way, when we are in the bondage of sin, is it not the Lord Jesus who saves our lives from death, so that we may walk before God in the light of life? Because of Christ's victory on the cross, we have already won the victory over the enemy in the end. Therefore, Christians groan and labour together in this present age, enduring with patience, going through trials, waiting in hope for the final hour of victory, and giving thanks and praise to Jesus and His grace!
>
Psalm 57 is set in the context of David's flight from Saul (cf. 1 Sam. 24:1-3), when David was hiding in the wilderness of Engidi. Saul then chose 3,000 of his best men from among the Israelites and led them to the rock of the wild sheep to seek and kill David and those who followed him. As the saying goes, "When enemies meet, they see eye to eye". David and Saul met each other in a cave. David, who was hiding in the dark, could have taken the opportunity to kill Saul, who was defenceless, but because David feared God in his heart, he did not want to be Saul's enemy and did not dare to kill Saul, who was anointed by God to be the king of Israel, thus sinning against God. David said, "They have laid a snare for my feet, and have oppressed my heart. They have dug a pit before me, and they themselves have fallen into it." David chose to let go of Saul, who had repeatedly tried to kill him, and put his life and future in God's hands! What a difficult choice that was. He was convinced of God's love and faithfulness. "God from heaven will be gracious to me, and will show me love and faithfulness." He said to God, "God, my heart is steadfast, my heart is steadfast! I will sing, I will sing! Awake, O my soul! ...... I myself shall awake very early. Your love reaches to the heavens; your honesty reaches to the firmament. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Your glory is above all the earth! " (Psalm 57:7-11).
Brothers and sisters, our spirit should also "awake very early". Think about whether we have strong faith in God in our morning prayer meetings and personal prayers. Do we willingly commit ourselves and our all to God in prayer? Do we pray to the Lord that we will not be hindered from doing what is displeasing to God by our own hands or by our own means to "set things right"? ...... These critical times are often filled with temptations, challenges and struggles, so do you rely on man or God? Christians should grasp God's mercy and love, justice and faithfulness, and trust God in faith, and they will overcome temptations and experience God's protection and care. "My life is among the lions. ...... God from heaven will be gracious to me" (Psalm 57:3-4).
>
Psalm 58 is a prayer to God, the supreme judge. It is a prayer to God to correct the injustices of mankind, and to judge and punish the leaders who are evil and pervert right and wrong. The psalm begins with a direct accusation against the evil judges, whose hearts, mouths, and hands cooperate in the practice of injustice, in verses 1 through 5, asking God to bring this injustice to an end. Verses six through eight ask God to remove this kind of judge who subverts right and wrong, and finally verses nine through eleven confirm the necessity of God's judgement on the wicked. The climax of the whole psalm is the eleventh verse. It shows that even though the judges and rulers of the earth who practice lawlessness and injustice have authority on the earth, there is one who is higher and more powerful than them, the LORD God, the Sovereign of heaven and earth, who will judge righteously, so that the righteous will be rewarded with good and the wicked will be punished, and that the unjust judges and rulers of the earth will be brought down to the level of His judgement.
This will bring comfort to all those who have been oppressed by injustice and righteousness on earth, and justice will be done. God reigns, and all things are subject to His righteous judgement. Yes, the Christian faith exalts the saving grace of God and the gospel of Christ, which is the forgiveness of sins through faith in Christ and His atonement. The gospel does not mean that God is free from justice and speaks only of grace.
In fact, justice is the foundation of grace, and without justice there can be no grace. The fact that sinners have received God's saving grace is not that God has forsaken the righteous judgement of sin, but rather that God's righteous judgement has fallen on Jesus Christ, the holy and flawless Son of God, who bore the sinner's sin debt and sacrificed his life for the sinner on the cross. In this way, God will redress the wrongs of the righteous against those who are enemies of God and of Christ, so that justice may be done and the name of the Lord glorified. Men will say, "Surely the righteous have a good report, and there is a God of judgement in the earth." (Psalm 58:11)
>
Psalm 59 is set in the context of 1 Sam 19:11-17. The psalmist calls upon God to deliver him from his enemies who want to harm him, asking God to resist them and their schemes. The most obvious feature of this psalm is that the weapon of these enemies is the tongue, and they attack with slander and curses. From the first to the ninth verse is the psalmist's prayer, showing the cruelty of his enemies and the psalmist's own innocence. "For they have laid an ambush for my life. The mighty have gathered against me. This is not for my transgression, O LORD, nor for my offence. Though I have not transgressed, they are ready to run against me. Take heed and help me, O LORD. Arise, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, and punish the nations! Have no pity on the wicked who practise deceit!" (Psalm 59:3-5) Verses ten through seventeen are the certainty of salvation. "But I will sing of Your strength, and in the morning of Your lovingkindness; for You have been my high tower, and my refuge in the day of my trouble. I will sing of you, O my strength, for God is my high place, the God of my goodness." (Psalm 59:16-17)
David pleaded with God not to destroy his enemies immediately (which is what he meant by "do not kill them" in verse 11), but to prolong their punishment. This was so that Israel (my people) would not forget God's saving acts, as they had so often done in the past. In spite of this, the psalmist asks God not to allow his enemies to escape all the consequences of their wickedness (Psalm 59:12-13), so that the nations may know that God reigns in the midst of Jacob to the ends of the earth. Let the world fear Him. In this age of unbelief, mankind is constantly inflating and exalting itself. But blessed are the people of God who stand firm in the Lord under the attacks of those who do not know God. For they shall receive the crown of life after their trial, and God shall save them and redress their grievances. But when the evening cometh, let the enemy turn back, and let them cry like dogs, and go round about the city. But in the morning the people of God will shout and sing with joy of your love, and praise God for being the strength and high ground of his people.
>
All in all, no matter whether it is the plea of being betrayed by one's own companions in distress (Psalm 55), the prayer of trusting in the Lord for salvation in the midst of fleeing and fear (Psalm 56), the prayer of trusting in God and entrusting oneself to Him (Psalm 57), or the appeal to the Sovereign of the heavens and the earth for the execution of a just judgement (Psalm 58), or the prayer of praising God for His strength and high place in times of trouble and helplessness (Psalm 59), the psalmist is holding on to God's promises, holding on to His love, mercy, justice, faithfulness, and grace to strengthen himself. O God, may you be exalted above the heavens! May your glory be higher than the earth! This is also our prayer and our praise. Amen!
***
Shop all products, journals, and devotions from LumenCollectives here.
每周灵修 诗篇55-59
親愛的弟兄姊妹， 這週我們學習和思想了五篇“大衛的詩”。這五篇詩篇都有相似的背景主題，就是大衛在各樣的人生危難當中，如何信靠神，禱告尋求神的拯救。
诗篇 第55篇
詩篇第55篇，大衛被知己好友出賣，這是他最傷心難過，倍覺愁苦與憤怒的時刻。詩人寫道：“原來不是仇敵辱罵我，若是仇敵，還可忍耐；也不是恨我的人向我狂大，若是恨我的人，就必躲避他。 不料是你！你原與我平等， 是我的同伴，是我的朋友。我們素常彼此談論，以為甘甜，我們與群眾在神的殿中同行” （詩55：12-14）。經歷原來的知己朋友，常交談甘甜，在殿中，在神和敬拜的群眾面前，有著平等友誼關係的知己朋友，作亂背叛自己，讓詩人“內心疼痛，死的驚恐漫過了我身”，巴不得“長有翅膀，速速逃到避難所，脫離狂風暴雨，宿在曠野安息”。有時神許可把與祂親密的人放在試煉當中，經歷常人不曾有的艱難，目的是使他更加委身信靠神，在生命中真實地體會蒙神拯救的滋味。誰最能從心底裡湧出讚美不絕的詩歌和禱告來？就是那些經歷大試煉，承受神恩典慈愛的人！“你要把你的重擔卸給耶和華，祂必撫養你，祂永不叫義人動搖。……神啊，袮必使惡人下入滅亡的坑； 流人血、行詭詐的人必活不到半世。 但我要倚靠袮。” 大衛堅定地相信神的公義和慈愛，這成為他在苦難中的亮光和盼望。 耶穌來到世上，他也經歷了被同行三年的門徒猶大出賣。因此，希伯來書4：15節說：“因我們的大祭司（指耶穌基督）並非不能體恤我們的軟弱，他也曾凡事受過試探，與我們一樣，只是他沒有犯罪。所以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。” 親愛的弟兄姊妹，這是神在聖經中向我們所發極重要的應許。不管我們生命中有如何的光景，我們都可以來到神面前，或認罪，或祈禱，或傾訴……主都明白曉得，並且祂要帶領我們不是停留在原地此處，而是更高地，完全地進入耶穌基督的國度與神的同在。
诗篇 第56篇
詩篇56篇背景是撒上21：10-15節, 大衛躲避掃羅的追殺，暫時逃到迦特王的亞吉那裡。因心裡懼怕非利士人以及迦特王亞吉而假裝瘋癲，逃避敵人迫害。一方面，詩人面對生命危險，有人性的懼怕和擔憂；另一方面，詩人有從神而來的信心，信靠神！基督徒不敬畏神時，對他人，對環境，對自己，對未來都容易陷入恐懼和驚慌中，甚至是莫名的恐慌中。當基督徒真實地敬畏神時，如同大衛一樣，害怕卻不至於令他殤膽，因為“我倚靠神，必不懼怕。 人能把我怎麼樣呢？”（詩56：11節）。詩人說道：“我懼怕的時候要倚靠袮。 我倚靠神，我要讚美祂的話”。在如此艱難的困境和黑暗中，要從心底裡發出讚美和歌頌談何容易？！神有恩典憐憫，這是詩中所表達的主題。“我幾次流離，袮都記數。 求袮把我眼淚裝在袮的皮袋裡， 這不都記在袮冊子上嗎？” （詩56：8節）這詩句非常感人。大衛顛沛流離的人生遭遇，讓他屢屢真正地經歷了神的恩典憐憫。有時黑暗艱難落在信主的人身上，並非全無意義，詩人大衛的信心就在此環境下成長。“因為袮救我的命脫離死亡。 袮豈不是救護我的腳不跌倒、 使我在生命光中行在神面前嗎？” 。同樣，當我們在罪的捆綁中，是主耶穌救我們的生命脫離死亡，祂豈不是使我們在生命光中行在神面前嗎？因著基督在十字架上的得勝，我們已經在終局處得勝了仇敵。所以，基督徒在現今的時代中一同歎息、勞苦，百般忍耐，經歷試煉，盼望等候最後勝利的時刻到來，感謝讚美耶穌和祂的恩典！
诗篇 第57篇
詩篇57篇的背景是大衛逃避掃羅（參見撒上24：1-3），那時大衛藏身在隱基底的曠野。 掃羅就從以色列人中挑選三千精兵，率領他們往野羊的磐石去，尋索追殺大衛和跟隨他的人。俗話說：“仇人相見，分外眼紅”。大衛與掃羅在洞中不期而遇，藏身暗處的大衛本可以藉機把毫無心理防備的掃羅擊殺，卻因大衛內心敬畏神，不願以掃羅為敵，不敢殺害曾被神膏立的以色列君王掃羅，以致得罪神。大衛說：“他們為我的腳設下網羅，壓制我的心。 他們在我面前挖了坑，自己反掉在其中。” 大衛選擇放過曾屢次企圖殺害自己的掃羅，而把自己的性命和未來交在神手中！這是多麼的不容易的選擇。他堅信神的慈愛與信實。“神從天上必施恩救我，也必向我發出慈愛和誠實。” 他對神說：“神啊，我心堅定，我心堅定！我要唱詩，我要歌頌！ 我的靈啊，你當醒起！……我自己要極早醒起。袮的慈愛高及諸天；袮的誠實達到穹蒼。神啊，願袮崇高過於諸天！ 願袮的榮耀高過全地！“ （詩57：7-11） 弟兄姊妹，我們的靈也要“極早醒起”。思想我們在晨禱會和個人禱告中是否對神有堅定的信心？是否在禱告中甘心把自己和自己的一切交託神？是否向主禱告，難阻自己的手，靠自己的方法，行神所不喜悅的事去“擺平危難” ？……這些關鍵時刻常常充滿試探、挑戰和掙扎，靠人還是靠神？基督徒請抓住神的憐憫和慈愛，公義和信實，以信心投靠神，就必能勝過試探，經歷神的保守看顧。“我的性命在獅子中間……神從天上必施恩救我”（詩57：3-4）
诗篇 第58篇
詩篇第58篇是向神這位最高審判官發出的一首祈禱詩。求神匡正人間的不平不法的事，審判和懲罰那些作惡的，顛倒是非的首領。詩篇從開始第一節到第五節，就直接對邪惡法官的控訴，他們的心、口、與手合作，同行不公義的事。第六到第八節求神把這種顛到是非的法官除去，最後第九到第十一節，確信神必要審判惡人。其中全詩的最高潮是第十一節。顯明地上那些行不法和不公不義的法官以及掌權者在地上儘管有權柄，但有一位比他們地位更高，權柄更大的，是天上地下的主宰耶和華神，要施行公義的審判，使義人有善報，惡人有懲罰，不義的法官與掌權者都要伏在祂的審判當中。 這給一切在地上受了不公不義所欺壓的人帶來安慰，並且公義得到伸張。神掌權作王，一切的一切都要聽從祂公義的審判。是的，基督信仰高舉神的救贖恩典和基督的福音，就是罪人因信基督和他的替贖，就可以罪得赦免。福音並不意味著神脫離公義，只講恩典。事實上公義是恩典的根基，沒有公義就談不上恩典。罪人得到了神的救贖恩典，不是神捨棄了對罪公義的審判，而是神公義的審判落在了擔當罪人的罪債，在十字架上為罪人捨命的這位聖潔無瑕的神兒子耶穌基督身上。這樣，對於那些神和基督的仇敵，神就必在他們身上為義人申冤，使公義得著彰顯，榮耀主名。人必說：“義人誠然有善報，在地上果有施行判斷的神。” （詩58：11）
诗篇 第59篇
詩篇59篇的背景是撒上19：11-17節的情景。詩人呼籲神救他脫離要傷害他的敵人，求神抵擋他們以及他們的詭計。這詩篇最明顯的特點是這些敵人的武器是舌頭，他們用毀謗與咒詛攻擊人。從第一節到第九節是詩人的禱告，表明敵人的殘暴以及詩人自己的無辜。“因為他們埋伏，要害我的命。 有能力的人聚集來攻擊我。 耶和華啊，這不是為我的過犯， 也不是為我的罪愆。 我雖然無過，他們預備整齊，跑來攻擊我。 求袮興起鑒察，幫助我。 萬軍之神耶和華以色列的神啊， 求袮興起，懲治萬邦！ 不要憐憫行詭詐的惡人！”（詩59：3-5）第十節到十七節是蒙拯救的確據。“但我要歌頌袮的力量， 早晨要高唱袮的慈愛； 因為袮作過我的高台， 在我急難的日子，作過我的避難所。 我的力量啊，我要歌頌袮， 因為神是我的高台， 是賜恩與我的神。”（詩59：16-17） 大衛求神不要立即除滅敵人（即11節“不要殺他們”的願本意思），而是延長他們受懲罰的時間。因為這樣做，好叫以色列人（我的民）不忘記神拯救的作為，像他們以往常常忘記那樣。儘管如此，詩人仍求神不容敵人逃脫他們惡行的一切後果（詩59：12-13），好叫萬國知道神在雅各中間掌權，直到地極。世人都當敬畏祂。在這個不信的世代，人類不斷自我膨脹和高舉。但那些在不認識神之人四圍攻擊下，靠主站立得穩的屬神的子民是有福的。因為他們經過試煉，必得生命的冠冕，神也必拯救他們，為他們申冤。敵人到了晚上，任憑他們轉回，任憑他們叫號如狗，圍城繞行。一但到了早晨，屬神的子民必歡呼高唱袮的慈愛，讚美神做了祂子民的力量和高台。
總之，無論是被自己同伴出賣，在危難中的求告（55篇），逃亡懼怕中信靠主拯救的祈求（56篇），堅固信心，交託自己給神的祈禱（57篇），還是向天地的主宰懇求施行公義審判的呼籲（58篇），或者在困境無助之時，向神歌頌祂的力量和高台的禱告（59篇），詩人都是緊緊抓住神的應許，抓住祂的慈愛、憐憫、公義、信實和恩典來堅固自己。神啊，願你崇高過於諸天！ 願袮的榮耀高過全地！這也是我們的禱告和頌贊。阿們！
***
