將祂百姓的角高舉的神（詩148篇）

願這些都讚美耶和華的名．因他一吩咐便都造成。他將這些立定、直到永永遠遠．他定了命、不能廢去。〔廢去或作越過〕（詩 148：5-6）

世人都很喜歡被高舉，所以今天網紅遍地。聖經告訴我們不要舉角，「角」原意是能力、力量之意，在此是榮耀的意思。舉角，就是榮耀被高舉。神說：

我對狂傲人說：「不要行事狂傲．」對兇惡人說：「不要舉角．不要把你們的角高舉．不要挺着頸項說話。」（詩 75：4-5）

神厭惡狂傲的人，偏偏世人樂於狂傲，而且忝不知恥。神也不喜歡人榮耀自己，但是祂卻樂於高舉祂所愛的人的榮耀。因為誰的僕人被榮耀，主人就得榮耀。角，要讓神高舉，不要自己高舉。這些角被神樂於高舉的人，就是那些與神相近的百姓。

他將他百姓的角高舉．因此他〔因此他或作他使〕一切聖民以色列人、就是與他相近的百姓、都讚美他。你們要讚美耶和華。（詩 148：14）

神是與神相近的百姓相近的，要與神相近，必要先遠離神所厭惡、相遠離的一切事，如：驕傲、狂傲、污穢、罪惡等惡事。親近神，神必親近他。能被神所親近，必有好事發生。要親近神，要先從親近祂的話開始，也就是勤讀聖經神的話。於是神所要的，神必定指示他。其中很重要的事之一，就是順服神，立志過得神喜悅的生活。順服的意思，就是照神喜歡的去做，不喜歡的事，連提都不要提。

所以你們該效法神、好像蒙慈愛的兒女一樣．也要憑愛心行事、正如基督愛我們、為我們捨了自己、當作馨香的供物、和祭物、獻與神。至於淫亂、並一切污穢、或是貪婪、在你們中間連提都不可、方合聖徒的體統。淫詞、妄語、和戲笑的話、都不相宜、總要說感謝的話。（弗 5：1-4）

願意完全順服、成為與神相近的人，就會以悟性接受真理。真理怎麼說，我就怎麼做。正如本篇5-6節所說的：「 他將這些立定、直到永永遠遠．他定了命、不能廢去。〔廢去或作越過〕 。這裏的「廢去」小字解釋說又做「越過」。經上說：

凡越過基督的教訓、不常守着的、就沒有神．常守這教訓的、就有父又有子。（約貳9）

「越過」在希臘原文又做「領導」。今天這個世界環境所教導的多是高傲，信徒一不小心就會沾染這個惡俗，隨從世界高傲的潮流。若是受感染了，就會處處都想領導，包含教會，也包含我們的神。想領導神的，就會越過基督的教訓，自己發明真理、憑私慾做解釋，他們將神驅逐出境，沒有神在他們的心裡。高傲的人，絕對不會是神所樂於親近的工人；神親近的工人，絕對不會是高傲的人。「神」與「高傲」是互斥的，是互相遠離的。對於這些不順服的人，遵從真理的人該有的態度就是：

若有人到你們那裏、不是傳這教訓、不要接他到家裏、也不要問他的安．因為問他安的、就在他的惡行上有分。（約貳10-11）

今天即使會看到越來越多不願意順服的人，想要領導教會、領導耶穌，但是聖經這裡說：「他定了命、不能廢去。」阿們！因為神的旨意，無人可阻擋與廢去，神的旨意也越過不了，更無從領導神。然而那些與神相近的人，角必被高舉，他們也必將榮耀歸給神。

那二十四位長老、就俯伏在坐寶座的面前、敬拜那活到永永遠遠的、又把他們的冠冕放在寶座前、說：「我們的主、我們的神、你是配得榮耀尊貴權柄的．因為你創造了萬物、並且萬物是因你的旨意被創造而有的。」（啟 4：10-11)

By Isaiah Kao

The God Who Exalts the Horn of His People (Psalm 148)

Let them praise the name of the Lord,  

For He commanded and they were created.  

He has also established them forever and ever;  

He has made a decree, and it will not be violated.  

(Psalm 148:5–6)

People love to be exalted, which is why influencers abound today. Yet the Bible tells us not to lift up the horn. The “horn” originally signifies strength or power, and here it refers to glory. To lift up the horn means to exalt one’s own glory. God says:

I said to the boastful, “Do not boast,”  

And to the wicked, “Do not lift up the horn;  

Do not lift up your horn on high,  

Do not speak with insolent pride.”  

(Psalm 75:4–5)

God hates the proud, yet people delight in pride and are shameless about it. God does not want people to glorify themselves, but He delights in exalting the glory of those He loves. For when a servant is honored, the master is honored. The horn must be lifted up by God, not by oneself. Those whose horn God delights to exalt are His people who draw near to Him.

And He has lifted up the horn of His people,  

Praise for all His godly ones;  

The sons of Israel, a people near to Him.  

Praise the Lord!  

(Psalm 148:14)

God is near to His people who are near to Him. To draw near to God, one must first turn away from everything He hates and distances Himself from such as pride, arrogance, impurity, and sin. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. When God draws near, good things surely follow. To draw near to God, one must begin with His Word, diligently reading the Bible. Then God will instruct him in what He desires. One of the most important matters is obedience: living a life pleasing to God. Obedience means doing what God delights in, and not even mentioning what He dislikes.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;  

and walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for us,  

an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.  

But sexual immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you,  

as is proper among saints;  

and there must be no filthiness or foolish talk, or vulgar joking,  

which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.  

(Ephesians 5:1–4)

Those who are willing to fully obey and become people near to God will receive truth with understanding. Whatever truth says, they will do. As Psalm 148:5–6 declares: “He has also established them forever and ever; He has made a decree, and it will not be violated.” The note explains “violated” can also mean “transgressed.” The Bible says:

Anyone who goes too far and does not remain in the teaching of Christ, does not have God;  

the one who remains in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.  

(2 John 9)

The Greek word for “goes too far” can also mean “to lead.” Today’s world often teaches arrogance, and believers may easily be influenced by this corrupt trend. If infected, they will desire to lead everywhere,even in the church, even over God Himself. Those who attempt to lead God transgress the teaching of Christ, invent their own truth, and interpret the Bible according to their desires. They drive God out of their hearts. The proud can never be workers God delights to draw near; those whom God draws near are never proud. “God” and “pride” are can not coexist, utterly opposed. For such disobedient ones, the attitude of those who remain in truth must be:

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching,  

do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting;  

for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.  

(2 John 10–11)

Even though we see more and more people unwilling to obey, seeking to lead the church and even Jesus Himself, the Bible says: “He has made a decree, and it will not be violated.” Amen! For God’s will cannot be stopped or canceled, nor can it be transgressed, nor can anyone lead God. Yet those who are near to Him will have their horn exalted, and they will give glory to God.

The twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne,  

and they will worship Him who lives forever and ever,  

and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying,  

“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God,  

to receive glory and honor and power;  

for You created all things,  

and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”  

(Revelation 4:10–11)