Photo by Gilmer Diaz Estela
Each year, when the Jews gather for the Passover seder to commemorate God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt, they sing Psalms 113–118 as part of the meal. As the evening draws to a close, they conclude with Psalm 118, which begins and ends with the refrain:
This psalm is a song of praise and thanksgiving to God for delivering His people from difficult times (v.5). It reminds the nation that God has not forgotten them (v.6) and that He will strengthen and sustain them through both good and hard seasons (vv.14–18).
As they recall their answered prayers and the mighty things God has done (vv.15–16), they declare:
As it is in life, we too have experienced disappointments, hardships, and low points this year. Yet we can remember that God is always with us and helping us (v.7), and that His goodness and love never quit (v.29, MSG).
Notice how the psalmist repeatedly says, “I will…” (v.17ff). Whether in good or trying times, he resolves to give thanks and to trust in God’s goodness. Choosing to give thanks, despite how we feel or what we face, is an expression of our trust in Him.
Psalm 118 is also one of the last hymns that Jesus and His disciples would have sung at the end of the Last Supper before He went to Gethsemane to pray (Matthew 26:30). Jesus gave thanks and exalted the Father, fully aware that He would soon be betrayed by one of His own and face the hour of His intense suffering.
When we choose to give thanks regardless of how we feel about our situation, we affirm that God is sovereign and in control. Like Jesus, we can pray,
Psalm 118 teaches us to live between remembrance and rejoicing—remembering God’s past faithfulness and rejoicing in His present goodness. In every trial and triumph, we can choose to give thanks and join the psalmist’s chorus:
As 2025 draws to a close, let us take time to recall the good things and blessings God has poured into our lives. May we always be ready to “give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever” (v.29).
Grateful,
Lam Kok Hiang
Leadership Mentor
每年，犹太人聚集庆祝逾越节，纪念 神曾将以色列民领出埃及，他们都在宴席上咏唱诗篇113至118篇。傍晚时分，他们或以诗篇118篇作为结束，这诗篇首尾呼应，圣经说：
这是一篇赞美篇，称赞 神曾在子民急难中应允他们(5节)，提醒以色列 神没有遗忘他们(6节)，并且扶持他们，不论是得胜还是管教的日子(14-18节)。
每当以色列纪念那些蒙应允的祷告以及 神一切大能的作为(15-16节)，众民宣告：
回头再看看自己，我们过去这一年来同样经历了各种失望、难处和低谷。然而我们当记念耶和华是我的帮助(7节)，祂的慈爱永远长存(29节)。
诗人在篇章里反复说：“我必/我要…”；他立意称谢 神、信靠祂的美意，罔论世态好坏。选择感谢 神是我们信心的表现，胜过个人感觉或眼见。
诗篇118篇或许是耶稣前往客西马尼园祷告之前，与众门徒在最后晚餐结束时所咏唱的诗歌之一。主耶稣曾感谢高举天父，尽管知晓身边的人即将出卖自己，自己必受尽苦难。
每当我们选择感恩过于当前的感受和处境，我们就是在承认 神已掌权，我们能效法耶稣祷告，
诗篇118篇教导信徒活出纪念和喜乐的见证，就是纪念 神过往的信实，又要因祂如今的良善欢欣。每一道坎、每次的得胜，我们都当选择赞美 神，如同诗人的颂词：
就让我们数算 过去这一年，神倾倒给我们的诸般丰盛。愿我们常常“…称谢耶和华，因祂本是良善的；祂的慈爱永远长存”(诗篇118:29)。
满心感恩
蓝国贤
会务导师
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