今天的經文中呈現出一個強烈的對比。那就是愚人否認上帝存在的悲慘命運(詩14)，而一個全心服事上帝的人則會得著許多祝福：喜樂(詩13)、與上帝交通(詩15)、滿足(詩16)、庇護(詩17)以及面對失敗的信心(詩18)。

        沉緬在過去勝利的光輝中，可能會（一）有益，（二）有害，（三）兩者兼具。(選擇一個答案)
        可能會選（三）──有好有壞。大衛坐下來寫詩篇十八篇之際，他的記憶充滿了上帝在他一生中種種的拯救。上帝曾經是他的「力量、巖石、山寨、救主、盾牌、高臺」(詩18：l-2)，大衛親身經歷到上帝，知道祂是一位垂聽禱告、申冤雪恥、使人高升、拯救世人、賞罰分明以及賜力量給信靠祂的人的上帝，這番了解給大衛信心，相信自己在日後也會：「我愛你；我要求告；因此我要……稱謝你」(詩18：1，3，49)。
        但沉醉在過去勝利中的人也會有一種危險：自滿。只因為上帝應許為你爭戰，並不表示你可以終日閒懶無所事事！看看大衛順服的步驟是：「我遵守了耶和華的道，他的律例我未曾丟棄，我也保守自己遠離我的罪孽。」(詩18：2l－23)
        今天晚上，找出一些舊東西來提醒你上帝的信實(相簿、記事本或日記)，並花一些時間重溫過去的勝利。現在告訴上帝，當你以信心順服祂之後，在今年未來的日子裡打算做些什麼？

我曾在何處高唱過這首凱歌？
        如果你覺得詩篇十八篇十分熟悉，可能是因為你以前讀過，對了！在撒母耳記下二十二章中！ (你是否能回想當時促使大衛寫下這些詩句的情景？)

自滿的基督徒，常陷於自相矛盾之中。

English

        In sharp contrast to the fate of the fool who denies God'.s existence (14), many blessings accrue to the one who serves God with a whole heart: joy-fulness (13), fellowship with God (15), satisfaction (16), preservation (17), and confidence in facing the future (18).

        Living in the glow of yesterday's victories can be (a) helpful, (h) harmful, (c) both helpful and harmful. (Pick one.)
        You probably selected (c)—"both helpful and harmful." As David sits down to write Psalm 18, he has many memories of God's past deliverances in his life. God has been his "strength ... rock ... fortress ... deliverer .., buckler [shield! ... high tower" fv. 2). David knows from firsthand experience that God is the One who hears, who avenges, who lifts up, who rescues, who rewards, who girds with strength those who put their trust in Him. And that knowledge gives David confidence to trust God in future days as well: "I will love thee.... I will call upon the LORD. ... Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD" (w. 1, 3, 49).
        But there is a danger for those who bask in yesterday's victories: COMPLACENCY. Just because God has promised to fight for you does not mean you can sit idly by and do nothing! Look at David's action steps of obedience: "I have kept the ways of the LORD. ... 1 did not put away his statutes from me.... t kept myself from mine iniquity" (w. 21-23).
        This evening, pull out .something that reminds you of God's faithfulness thus far this year (a photo album, appointment calendar, or diary), and spend a few minutes reliving past victories. Now talk to God about what you intend to do during the rest of the year as you walk in confident obedience to Him.

Haven't I Sung That Somewhere Before? —
        If the words of Psalm 18 seem familiar, it's probably because you read them before ... in 2 Samuel 22! (Do you recall the occasion that prompted David to compose those verses?)

A complacent Christian is a contradiction in terms.