從最大的喜樂到最深的憂愁，今天的經文有一段相當大的情緒起伏。從回憶上帝過去的作為──詩人不禁湧出讚美的樂章（詩135、136），到被擄流放的日子，詩人譜出愁苦的哀歌（詩137），即使値此痛苦時節，藉著追想上帝無限而浩瀚的智慧與永恆的同在（詩139），詩人仍然發出滿心的歡呼來（詩138）。

        詩篇一三九篇裡描繪出三種上帝美好的特性：無所不知（祂了解你的一切），無所不在（祂處處與你同在），和無所不能（祂無限的能力可以滿足你一切的需求）。
        而問題卻是：「如果一切都是真的，爲什麼我還應該禱告？」就禱告而言有許多好理由，現在僅列舉三個：
        1.因為這是上帝的命令（耶33：3）。
        2.因為上帝要把珍貴的禮物賜給求告的人（太7：7-11）。
        3.禱告改變事實，更重要的是，禱告改變人，也就是說禱告改變你！
        請注意詩篇一三九篇裡，大衛的態度是如何改變的？一開始大衛就十分小心、敬畏的思想他的生命在上帝面前猶如一本敞開的書，但最後，祂謙卑、積極的討上帝喜悅──即使是他生命中最隱密的一部分。今天你是否願意學習大衛的禱告呢（139：23、24）？

        慈愛、慈愛、慈愛
        在讀詩篇一三六篇之前，好好想一想，爲什麼英文聖經的譯者要把「因祂的慈愛永遠長存」（共重覆了二十六次）有此不同的詮釋：
        「祂的慈愛永不停止」（墨飛版本）
        「因祂的慈愛永遠長存」（合和本）
        「祂的慈愛持續到永遠」（新國際版本）

禱告是靈魂的盾牌，是對上帝的奉獻，是給撒但的鞭笞。

English

        From the heights of joy to the depths of sorrow, today's reading spans a wide range of emotions. In recalling past dealings with God—both in creation and in the redemption of God's people—the psalmist breaks forth in glad songs of praise (135-136). Reliving the desperate days of exile, the psalmist expresses deep sorrow (137). But even times of trouble can be met with acclamation (138) by remembering God's infinite knowledge and unceasing presence (139).

        Three of God's qualities are beautifully depicted in Psalm 139: His omniscience (He knows every¬thing about you), His omnipresence (He goes everywhere with you), and His omnipotence (He is infinitely powerful enough to meet your every need).
        The question arises, "If all that is true, then why should I pray?" There are many good reasons to pray, but here are just three:
        1. Pray because God has commanded it (Jeremiah 33:3).
        2. Pray because God delights in giving good gifts to those who ask (Matthew 7:7-11).
        3. Pray because prayer changes things . . , but mostly, prayer changes people . . . and that means prayer changes you!
        Notice in Psalm 139 how David's attitude changes. In the opening verses David is cautious, almost fearful, at the thought that his life is an open book before God. But by the end, he is humble and eager to please God—even in the secret compartments of his life.

        Before you read Psalm 136, immerse yourself in a few of the many ways in which translators have captured the refrain, "for his mercy endureth for ever" (repeated 26 times in the psalm):
        "His kindness never fails." (Moffatt)
        "For his steadfast love endures for ever." (Revised Standard)
        "His love endures forever." (New International Version)

Prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan.