【双语灵修】受保护的羊PROTECTED SHEEP

诗篇 23:4

我虽然行过死荫的幽谷，也不怕遭害，因为你与我同在，你的杖、你的竿都安慰我。

7月11日

受保护的羊

“我虽然行过死荫的幽谷，也不怕遭害，因为你与我同在。” -诗 23:4

前些时（七月四日）我们提到，大卫王被认为是《诗篇》第二十三篇的作者。在诗篇中的这一节，大卫或许不单只回想起自己牧羊的岁月，更可能回想起被扫罗王的军队追杀的日子。在这两种情况下，大卫都会走过就是在白天，也一样漆黑一片的干谷（像峡谷的地方）。这些地方都可能是危险的，因为藏匿着野兽或盗贼，等待独行的客旅。可是，干谷有时却是通往水源和青绿草场的唯一途径。

有些译本把这一节翻译为”死荫的幽谷”，因为幽谷里可能会发生很多危险的事情。迷路的羊没有任何抵御能力，但牧羊人带着一根用来挡住侵略者的杖或棍，又用一枝尾部带有弯勾的长竿，来勾住遇险的羊，或把羊从险境中拯救出来。干谷是一个没有人愿意单独一人走过的地方。

纵使我们不是住在危险的干谷附近，但这个世界本身可能就是可怕的幽谷，有各式各样危机的地方。然而，这里有一个好消息，就是我们没有被丢弃，也不是孤单一人，我们的牧者必定常与我们同在。

你曾在甚么境况中，因有主的同在而得到安慰呢？

祷告

主啊，有时我们感到就像在危险幽谷中迷了路那样。求祢提醒我们祢与我们同在和保护我们。阿们。

Psalm 23:4

FRIDAY, JULY 11

PROTECTED SHEEP

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. . . . —Psalm 23:4

As we noted earlier (July 4), Psalm 23 is attributed to King David. In this part of the psalm, David may be recalling not only his own shepherding days but also times when he was pursued by the armies of King Saul, who wanted to kill him. In both situations David would have traveled through wadis (small canyon-like places) that remained dark even in daylight. These could be dangerous places where animal or human predators would hide in wait, especially for lonely travelers. Yet sometimes a wadi provided the only route to fresh water and greener pastures.

Some translations of this text call this the “valley of the shadow of death” because there are so many possible dangers. A lost lamb has no defenses, but the shepherd carries a rod or stick to ward off predators and a long staff with a hooked end to grab a lamb that may have fallen into danger or to snatch a sheep out of harm’s way. The wadi is not a place where one would want to travel alone.

Though we may not live near dangerous wadis, the world itself can be a scary place of dark valleys and threats of many kinds. Yet the good news is that we are not abandoned or alone. Our shepherd is with us always.

In what situations have you been comforted by the Lord’s presence?

Lord, at times we can feel as if we are lost in dangerous, dark valleys. Remind us of your presence and protection, we pray. Amen.