尽管世界分崩离析，我们仍可立稳于基督磐石。

When the world around us is crumbling, Christ is the solid Rock on which we stand.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit; out of the mud and mire, he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2

祂从祸坑里、从淤泥中把我拉上来，使我的脚立在磐石上，使我脚步稳当。-诗篇40篇2节

The historic river walk area of Savannah, Georgia, is paved with mismatched cobble stones. Local residents say that centuries ago the stones provided ballast for ships as they crossed the Atlantic Ocean. When cargo was loaded in Georgia, the ballast stones were no longer needed, so they were used to pave the streets near the docks. Those stones had accomplished their primary job—stabilizing the ship through dangerous waters.

在美国乔治亚州的萨凡纳城，有个充满历史痕迹的河畔徒步区，地上铺满了不规则的圆石。当地居民表示，在几百年前，这些圆石都是航行大西洋船只用来压舱的石头。当船只在乔治亚装满了货，不再需要压舱的石头后，人们就用它们来铺设码头附近的路面。这些石头在行经险恶的水路时稳定了船只，如今功成身退了。

The days in which we live can feel as turbulent as the high seas. Like sailing ships of old, we need stability to help us navigate our way through the storms of life. David faced danger as well, and he celebrated the character of God for providing him with stability after he had endured a desperate time. He declared, “He lifted me out of the slimy pit; out of the mud and mire, he set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand” (Ps. 40:2). David’s experience was one of conflict, personal failure, and family strife, yet God gave him a place to stand. So David sang “a hymn of praise to our God” (v. 3).

这时代就像狂暴的大海一样纷扰不安，而我们就如同古时航行的船只，也需要压舱的石头来稳定力量，帮助我们行经人生的风暴。大卫也同样遭逢险境，但他颂赞上帝，因为他虽承受绝望苦痛，上帝却给了他一份安定的力量。大卫宣告说：“祂从祸坑里、从淤泥中把我拉上来，使我的脚立在磐石上，使我脚步稳当” (诗篇40篇2节) 。大卫的一生虽经历冲突、失败和家庭纷争，然而上帝却使大卫脚步稳当，使他口唱新歌，赞美我们的上帝 (3节) 。

In times of difficulty, we too can look to our powerful God for the stability only He brings. His faithful care inspires us to say with David, “Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us” (v. 5).

遭遇困难时，我们可以寻求全能的上帝，得着只有祂能赐下的安定力量。因祂信实的看顾，使我们可以和大卫一同欢唱：“耶和华我的上帝啊，祢所行的奇事，并祢向我们所怀的意念甚多。” (5节)

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’s blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’s name. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand—all other ground is sinking sand.

我心所望别无根基，唯有救主流血公义。
除此以外虚空无凭，我独靠主耶稣圣名。
立在基督磐石坚固，其余根基全是沙土。

Psalm 40:1-5 (NIV)

Psalm 40

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
    out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
    and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
    and put their trust in him.

4 Blessed is the one
    who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
    to those who turn aside to false gods.
5 Many, Lord my God,
    are the wonders you have done,
    the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
    they would be too many to declare.

整理：于姊妹