But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation

 Psalm 69:1-18

Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.

Lord, the Lord Almighty, may those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me; God of Israel, may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me.

For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face. I am a foreigner to my own family, a stranger to my own mother’s children;

But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.

Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me. Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. Come near and rescue me; deliver me because of my foes.

This psalm is often quoted in the New Testament. Like Psalm 22 it is a cry for help from one in desperate straits and close to death. The psalmist's picture in berses2, 14-15 could be taken for an actual description of the prophet Jeremiah's case.

Why?

Psalmist confessed he has sins either. 

Psalmist concerned the name of the Lord and hope his situation won't be seen,  so he prayed to the Lord may those who hope in God not be disgraced because of me.

Enemies attacked David very seriously, he is closed to death. He prays to the Lord in the time of your favor; in your great love, answer me with your sure salvation. This is our prayer either.

For God is full of goodness, love, great mercy, so prey these mercies turn to me.

To be a Christian sometime we will suffer the scorn for God's sake, but God is my strong holder and my savior. Trust in Him would not shame!

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v1-4: 淤泥深水中的困境： 沒有立足之地，呼求到聲音啞，無故被怨恨的心灰意冷。

v5-12 為主受羞辱：求神不要叫人看見他的情況而失去對神的信心。他想到的是怕神的名受羞辱。在神面前敬虔悔改，受到受嘲笑、受羞辱，不要因他的緣故失去對神的信心。

v13-18 求主按祂的性情拯救我。注意力轉向神的本質。情況雖然沒有改變，眼光轉向神的慈愛、誠實。加上神的工作-拯救。

我們是否經歷過這種情況嗎？沒有人能理解，在家中沒有人問一句，工作中莫名被長官罵。朋友聽了好像不是他們的事。最無辜的是耶穌基督，我們不孤單，有耶穌陪伴我們。讓我們專注在神的慈愛上。

v5 當我無辜受苦時，我也是有罪，我也沒有多好。否則我們也會犯驕傲的罪。

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How?

Pray to the Lord and in God's favor and his time to answer me.

Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death

 Psalm 68:19- 35

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.

Summon your power, God; show us your strength, our God, as you have done before. Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring you gifts. Rebuke the beast among the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations. Humbled, may the beast bring bars of silver. Scatter the nations who delight in war.

Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord, to him who rides across the highest heavens, the ancient heavens, who thunders with mighty voice. Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the heavens. You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.

Salvation to Israel - death to the enemy; v24-27 the procession: 28-31 subdue the nations: 32-25 let everyone sing the power and majesty of Israel's God!

Why?

Rebuke the beast among the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations: means Egypt. Nations: means the enemies near Israel.

God is my savior who daily bears my burden. Without the Lord, I can do nothing. Without God's blessing, I will stumble or fall anytime.

God is reigning on the top and all should sing to God, sing praise to the Lord, to him who rides across the highest heaven, God reigns across the times.

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前面一半講從西奈山到曠野到得榮耀。

後半是神承擔我們的罪

19-23：神叫人得勝。神天天背負我們的重擔，我們每天都有壓力，家庭、工作、人際關係的壓力...

  21:神救我們脫離仇敵，最大的仇敵就是我們貪婪的心，私慾的心

   23:這個得勝是完全的得勝，連狗都得好處。神使我們歸回得著土地，回到主面前。     

24-27:神救我們脫離死亡： 我們要如何回應神呢? 讚美的大隊。神為帶領人，從聖所出來帶人進入聖所，與願意相信他的人同在。以歡樂、敬拜的聲音，有婦女參加表示全民的參與，與全民有關。

28-31：神要萬國來朝貢、來降服。因為萬國看到神的能力，以色列國的殿是神的同在。包括埃及及其他國家。銀在腳下，表示錢已經不重要了，連最貪心的對於銀塊也沒有興趣了。對萬國做見證，就是教會的責任。叫萬民蒙福！黑暗的權勢，內心的私慾一直在伺機反撲，都要被神趕散。

32-35 萬民大合唱：列國萬民都來讚美神，不是只有以色列人歌唱，因這不是神的心意。神眷顧以色列的神，也看顧萬民。

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How?

Give thanks to the Lord and praise his Holy name, whose majesty is over the world and in heaven.

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens

 Psalm 68:1-18

May God arise, may his enemies be scattered; may his foes flee before him. May you blow them away like smoke— as wax melts before the fire, may the wicked perish before God. But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.

God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

The Lord announces the word, and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng: “Kings and armies flee in haste; the women at home divide the plunder.

When you ascended on high, you took many captives;  you received gifts from people, even from the rebellious— that you, Lord God, might dwell there. Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,  who daily bears our burdens.

This psalm seems to be a battle-march cum processional hymn, may be sung as the Ark was carried into Jerusalem, or at the ceremony commemorating that event. The Psalm paints a series of vivid pictures of God's victorious power.

V1-6 a tribute to God, v7-10 God leads the nation through the desert; v11-14 the conquest of the land, 15-18 God chooses Mt Zion in Jerusalem to be his home. 

Why?

We are not along, God is with us, God sets the lonely in families, even in God's family and family in the world.

Praise the Lord, faith to the Lord, women could be an army in God's command. Preach Gospel women could be a mighty throng.

God is the Lord, not only in Christian but also is the King among the universe, God received gifts from his people and from the rebellious.

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大衛回想自己如何建立國在耶路撒冷。

1-6 回想以色列人從西奈山進入迦南地。有神同在的人，無論任何敵人都會退去，消化。孤兒、寡婦、被囚的是最底層，沒有依靠的，今天有神幫助他們。

7-10在西奈山神如何引領他們。兩次提到下雨。有水、人就可以活下去。有榮幸見到神。

11-14  仗都還沒有打，婦女就要傳捷報，要得勝了。主發命令就是趕散列王，人只要收戰利品。他們如半在圈中。且非常高貴穩妥的地方，安然睡覺。特別顯出人在神的照顧中，平安放心。整個戰爭看是約書亞在打，其實是神在打。在敵人面前更能顯出神的保護、照顧。安穩在耶穌懷裏是最大的福氣。

15-18 大衛建立的國。錫安山因為有神，所以可以傲視群山。神的車輛萬千，所以得勝。神升上高天是神掌權。大衛所在乎的是神的同在，不是所建的國家，權利。神的同在是摩西及大衛最在乎的，我們在乎的是什麼?我們所喜悅、期待的是否與神相同?

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How?

Praise the Lord to God my Savior, who daily bears my burdens.

May 1 God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us

 Psalm 67-1-7 

May 1 God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us, so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.

May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth.

May the peoples praise you still, may all the people.

The land yields it harvest; God, our God, blesses us. May God bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

The land has produced its harvest: God, our GOd, has blessed us - and the watching world acknowledges not only God's provision for his people but his justice and leading, with gladness and joyful song.

Why?

May God’s face shine on us, to love us, listen to our prayer, have grace on us so we may let the world know God’s way, may the salvation among all nations. May all people come to praise the Lord.

God rules the world with equity and guide the nations, be humble before the Lord, for my God is righteousness and full of love.

What the land have harvest or what we done if there is not God’s blessing, we get nothing.

How?

May God bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth will fear him.

You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance

 Psalm 66:1-20

Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.

He rules forever by his power, his eyes watch the nations—  let not the rebellious rise up against him.

Praise our God, all peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.

Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart,  the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.

When prayer is answered and troubles are past, the heart overflows with praise. Praise to God who has always come to his people's rescue, from the earliest days(verse 6 looks back to the escape from Egypt - the exodus) until now (8-12). Thanksgiving, and an offering of thanks, for God's love and care for every individual(16-20).

Why?

Fear: it is also a means to surround.

Some trouble or disaster is like tested us from the Lord, who refined us like silver. Let us experience his glory and faithfulness. But the Lord will bring us to a place of abundance.

Come and hear, all you who fear God, let us tell you what God has done for me. For God is my savior, my rock, my fortress, and my way. There is so much grace poured on me. I like to witness what God has done on me.

How?

Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!  

You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance

 Psalm 65:1-13

Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled. You who answer prayer, to you all people will come.

When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions. Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.

You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.

You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops. You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.

This psalm may have been used at the harvest festival;. All praise to God who hears and forgives faults, who blesses, satisfies, and saves. Praise to God the Creator and Controller of the natural world. Praise to God who gives the harvest and makes the whole earth ring with joy.

Why?

讚美恭候您的光臨, people praise the Lord sometimes is quite, it is praise from our heart!

All people will come for God's grace is full of this world.

God forgives our sins, even our transgressions are so many.

My God is mighty God, who formed the mountains by his power, having armed himself with strength. Who can compare with our God!

The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain. It is the Lord who fills our need and let us live on the land.

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錫安的人都等候讚美你。為何等候?表示人迫不急待的要讚美神！Praise awaits you讚美恭候您的光臨。

我們是這樣子的軟弱，被罪惡勝過，神都赦免。我們知道我們無法勝過。我們且得住在祂的院中、聖殿中。住在神的殿中，不是坐宿、吃喝在那裏，乃表示接納我們成為神的家人。

威嚴是神的權柄，秉公義：在神的手中，我們會受到公義的對待。

主使一切的不安全、喧嘩聲、波浪聲都變為有秩序。一切令人不安、憂慮的的在神手中變得安全、沒有懼怕。一般人害怕，我們卻是歡呼的。

主讓我們生活在豐富的環境中。沒有一處是貧瘠的。只要撒種就會生長、結果。這樣的環境是神已經預備的。神的方法，我們不一定理解。

以恩典為年歲的冠冕，一整年的榮耀從神的恩典而來。神安定我們的心，沒有憂慮、沒有不安定。曠野滴下脂油，即降雨使地上滋長，不再是黃土。神的聖靈澆灌在我們心中，使我們的心不再乾枯，不再懼怕、不再乾渴，充滿生機、生命力。

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How?

Praise to the Lord, give thanks to our God. who can compare with our God!

The righteous will rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him

 Psalm 64:1-10

Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint; protect my life from the threat of the enemy.

They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; they say, “Who will see it?” They plot injustice and say, “We have devised a perfect plan!” Surely the human mind and heart are cunning.

But God will shoot them with his arrows; they will suddenly be struck down. He will turn their own tongues against them and bring them to ruin; all who see them will shake their heads in scorn. All people will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done.

The righteous will rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him; all the upright in heart will glory in him!

V1-6 the psalmist pictures his trouble. V7-9 he expresses his certainty that God will punish all who plot and scheme and slander. The punishment will fit the offense exactly.

Why?

Enemies hiding their snares and evil plan, they thought it is perfect plan, but God will destroy them and let them fall in their snare.

All people should fear the Lord and will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done. Like COVID-19 has God's plan in it.

The righteous will rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him.

There word like the arrow to attack others. Their mind is deep means evil and craft.

Psalmist has faith in the Lord and trust in God's way.

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v1-2 哀歎苦惱的時候。如果能將他隱藏起來就好。

v4-6 他們用突襲的方式，且人數眾多且有組織、計劃的。他們之間彼此勉勵。

v7-10 最後這些都不敵神的一揮。忽然、被自己的箭所害。原來苦毒的言語反而刺向自己。前後兩個忽然，忽然得人射他，他們忽然被箭所傷。相對的對比度。人要為自己的惡所傷。為自己所行的付出代價。

10 最後是歡喜快樂、誇口。雖然現在還沒有實現，但是現在就可以歡喜快樂。

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How?

Trust in the Lord Almighty! God will make it perfect!