詩篇第四卷以三幅上帝威儀的肖像為壓軸。祂是受造物的大能上帝（詩104，這首詩與創世紀第一章創造的記載有異曲同工之妙）：祂是守約信實的上帝，曾解救祂的子民於水深火熱之中，並爲他們建立強國（詩105）；祂是一群頑梗子民的上帝，雖然百般忍耐的訓練他們，卻從未得到祂應得的順服（詩106）。

        記憶正像火，既能溫熱使人感到暖和，也能以高熱燃燒一切。當你回顧今年上半年時，你的記憶是愉快或是痛苦的？
        也許是苦樂參半吧！詩人回首以色列史的時候，他為上帝的信實欣喜，因為上帝從不失信於祂的百姓，卻也爲以色列人的信用感到失望，因為他們不斷悖逆上帝，以色列史在在都說明頑梗剛愎的痛苦，以及上帝鍥而不捨引領百姓走上公義和成功的康莊大道。
        如果有人請你寫「我的生命史：第一部」，讀起來會像詩篇一○六篇嗎？其中會包括上帝供應的愉快記憶嗎？會有悖逆時候的痛苦嗎？可曾對這位供應的造物主獻上感恩？可曾在悖逆後經歷上帝的赦免（約壹1：9）？在此過程中曾得到什麼教訓？或是仍像詩篇一○六篇中的以色列人一樣──重蹈覆轍而失去上帝的祝福？
        今天找個時間散步幾分鐘，除了上帝，只有你的思想陪伴你！回憶過去六個月的種種：爲愉快的日子感謝；爲痛苦的日子悔罪。求上帝幫助你在下半年裡更有智慧──而不是更老！

        以色列簡史
        從五首詩中（詩105，106，78，135，136）可以追溯以色列從被造到大衛登基完整歷史。試試看吧！

要把過去當成跳板，而不是沙發！

English

        Book 4 of the Psalter closes with three majestic portraits of God. He is the powerful God of creation (104, a psalm that closely parallels the creation account of Genesis 1); He is the faithful God of the covenant, who formed a mighty nation out of people in bondage (105); He is the long-suffering God of a stiff-necked people, who patiently disciplines but never deserts the objects of His love (106).

        Memories, like fire, can both bless with warmth and burn with searing heat. As you look back over the first half of 1991, do your memories give you more pleasure or pain?
        Probably you experience a bit of both sensations. As the psalmist reviewed Israel's history, he delighted in the faithfulness of God, who never failed His people—and despaired over the faithfulness of Israel, who repeatedly disobeyed God. The nation's history spoke eloquently of the pain of waywardness, and the per¬sistence of God in guiding His people down the path of righteousness and blessing.
        If you were asked to write 'The History of My Life: Part 1," would it read like Psalm 106? Would it include pleasant memories of God's provision ... and painful memories of your rebellious moments? Have you thanked God for the former? Have you experienced God's forgiveness for the latter (I John 1:9)? And have you learned a lesson in the process? Or are you—like the Israelites in Psalm 106—repeating your errors . . . and forfeiting God's blessings?
        Find a few minutes to take a quiet walk alone today, with just God and your thoughts for companions. Reminisce over the first six months of this year: the good times (thank Him for them) and the bad (confess your rebellious moments to Him). Ask God to help you grow wiser—not just older—for the rest of 2009.

        A Short History of Israel
        With just five psalms (105-106, 78,135-136), you can trace Israel's entire history from creation to David's enthronement.

Use the past as a springboard, not a sofa.