音乐是时代心理的描写。每个时代的音乐，表现出那个时代人们的心灵状态，音乐所产生巨大的力量，在不知不觉间冲击着人们心灵的深处。它可使人沈溺于罪恶深渊中；亦能感动人悔改归向神，成为一个圣洁的人。

 

今日有三种音乐，直接或间接地影响着人们的心灵:

 

新潮的流行音乐，它那种疾徐(快慢)不一，忽强忽弱的节拍，再加上大叫大喊，一片剌耳的淫词杂音，便挑起了人们肉体的情欲。唱和听的人摇动着身体，淫态毕露，使人疯、痴、醉、迷。这简直不是音乐，乃是地狱里传出来的呼喊！

 

古典音乐和民歌。这些音乐听起来，使人思想人生，激发感情，可以陶冶性情，滋润心灵。如莫扎特、贝多芬等古典音乐，前者听起来轻快有意义，发泄了心头的忧郁，使人深思忘愁，能叫人从世俗的烦扰中超脱出来；后者的乐音气魄雄伟壮阔、含意深沉，似有不能抗拒的力量，给人以刚强奋斗，振作意志的能力。

 

圣乐 — 因基督影响而产生的圣乐，它亦是世界上最多和最伟大的音乐了，每一首圣乐，它的曲词并和声里，都含有永恒的价值。它的气氛庄严，平静安稳，能感动人发出敬虔亲近神的心，叫人有平安温暖的感觉；那种超凡入圣的灵性气氛，有一种伟大的力量，叫人在悲凄的时候得着安慰；沉睡的心灵得着苏醒；它能激荡我们的勇气，使生活有力，得胜罪恶；使心灵清净纯洁，思念真神，灵性日益向上。圣乐中那种伟大的潜力，是没有别的音乐可以比拟的。

 

在这个末世的时候，人心趋向肉欲，对属天的事已不感兴趣，加以“现今”流行的新潮音乐中，弥漫着罪恶色情的气氛，已不知影响了多少青少年人，败坏了他们的德行；腐蚀了他们天真纯洁的心灵，叫他们沈溺于情欲的追求中，如醉如痴地一步步走向了地狱而不醒觉！可叹的今日竟有人以新潮音乐的旋律和姿态唱“圣诗，”还美其名说是“敬拜神”。其实，这些都是撒但的差役，把魔鬼的货色带进礼拜堂来推销，毒害神儿女们敬虔圣洁的心灵。万望主内兄姊们儆醒提防。

   

为此我们特别选了韩德尔所写庄严、伟大、感人深远的“弥赛亚”神曲的中英文曲词刊出，它是完全以圣经串成的伟大乐章，向主内兄姊们郑重推荐介绍。为了主的荣耀，自己的灵性长进，造就下一代敬虔爱主的心，我们必要学习欣赏荣耀神及造就自己的圣乐。(附“圣城”中英文曲词) 如下：

　

“弥赛亚”神曲

　

第一部——基督降生

 

1．序曲

 

2．朗诵调

 

　　你们的神说：“你们要安慰，安慰我的百姓。要对耶路撒冷说安慰的话,又向他宣告说：他争战的日子已满了，他的罪孽赦免了。”

有人声喊着说：“在旷野预备耶和华的路，在沙漠地修平我们神的道。”（赛40：1-3）

 

“Comfort, yes, comfort My people!”  Says your God. “ Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned;

The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “ Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. ”

 

3．独唱曲

 

　　一切山洼都要填满，大小山冈都要削平，高高低低的要改为平坦，崎崎岖岖的必成为平原。（赛40：4）

 

Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth;

 

4．合唱

 

　　耶和华的荣耀必然显现，凡有血气的，必一同看见，因为这是耶和华亲口说的。（赛40：5）

 

The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

 

5．朗诵调

 

　　万军之耶和华如此说：“过不多时，我必再一次震动天地，沧海与旱地。我必震动万国；万国的珍宝，必都运来。”（该2：6-7）

　　你们所寻求的主，必忽然进入他的殿；立约的使者，就是你们所仰慕的，快要来到。（玛3：1）

 

“For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the desire of all nations.

“the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. behold, He is coming,”

 

6．独唱曲

 

　　他来的日子，谁能当得起呢？他显现的时候，谁能立得住呢？

因为他如炼金之人的火。（玛3：2）

 

But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears?

For He is like a refiner’s fire.

 

7．合唱

 

　　他必洁净利未人，他们就凭公义献供物给耶和华。（玛3：3）

 

He will purify the sons of Levi, that they may offer to the LORD an offering in righteousness.

 

8．朗诵调

 

　　必有童女怀孕生子，给他起名叫以马内利——就是神与我们同在。（赛7：14，太1：23）

 

The virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel--which is translated, “God with us.”

 

9．独唱曲及合唱

 

　　报好信息给锡安的啊，你要登高山；报好信息给耶路撒冷的啊，你要极力扬声，扬声不要惧怕，对犹大的城邑说：“看哪！你们的神，兴起发光，因为你的光已经来到，耶和华的荣耀发现照耀你。”（赛40：9，60：1）

 

O Zion, you who bring good tidings, get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, you who bring good tidings, lift up your voice with strength, lift it up, be not afraid; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.

 

10．朗诵调

 

　　看哪！黑暗遮盖大地，幽暗遮盖万民，耶和华却要显现照耀你，他的荣耀要现在你身上，万国要来就你的光，君王要来就你发现的光辉。（赛60：2，3）

 

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

 

11．独唱曲

 

　　在黑暗中行走的百姓，看见了大光；住在死荫之地的人，有光照耀他们。（赛9：2）

 

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.

 

12．合唱

 

　　因有一婴孩为我们而生，有一子赐给我们，政权必担在他的肩头上。他名称为奇妙、策士、全能的神、永在的父、和平的君。（赛9：6）

 

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

 

13．间奏曲

 

14．朗诵调

 

　　在伯利恒之野地里有牧羊的人，夜间按着更次看守羊群。（路2：8）

有主的使者站在他们旁边，主的荣光四面照着他们，牧羊的人就甚惧怕。（路2： 9）

 

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

 

15．朗诵调

 

　　那天使对他们说：不要惧怕！我报给你们大喜的信息，是关乎万民的，因今天在大卫的城里，为你们生了救主，就是主基督。（路2：10，11）

 

    Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

 

16．朗诵调

 

　　忽然，有一大队天兵同那天使赞美神说：（路2：13）

 

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

 

17．合唱

 

　　在至高之处荣耀归与神，在地上平安归与他所喜悦的人。（路2：14）

 

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!

 

18．独唱曲

 

　　锡安的民哪，应当大大喜乐。耶路撒冷的民哪，应当欢呼。看哪，你的王来到你这里！他是公义的，并且施行拯救，……他必向列国讲和平。（亚9：9，10）

 

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, ……  He shall speak peace to the nations.

 

19．朗诵调

 

　　那时瞎子的眼必睁开，聋子的耳必开通，……瘸子必跳跃象鹿，哑巴的舌头必能歌唱。（赛35：5，6）

 

    Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing.

 

20．独唱曲

 

　　他必象牧人牧养自己的羊群，用膀臂聚集羊羔抱在怀中，慢慢引导那乳养小羊的。（赛40：11）

　　凡劳苦担重担的人，可以到我这里来，我就使你们得安息。我心里柔和谦卑，你们当负我的轭，学我的样式，这样，你们心里就必得享安息。（太11：28，29）

 

    He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.

    Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

 

第二部——受苦与复活

 

21．合唱

 

　　因为我的轭是容易的，我的担子是轻省的。（太11：30）

 

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

 

22．合唱

 

　　看哪！神的羔羊，除去世人罪孽的。（约1：29）

 

Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

 

23．独唱曲

 

　　他被藐视，被人厌弃，多受痛苦，常经忧患。他被藐视，好象被人掩面不看的一样……（赛53：3）

 

He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, ……

 

24．合唱

 

　　他诚然担当我们的忧患，背负我们的痛苦；我们却以为他受责罚，被神击打苦待了。哪知他为我们的过犯受害，为我们的罪孽压伤。因他受的刑罚，我们得平安；……（赛53：4，5）

 

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him.

 

25．合唱

 

　　因他受的鞭伤，我们得医治。（赛53：5）

 

And by His stripes we are healed.

 

26．合唱

 

　　我们都如羊走迷，各人偏行己路。耶和华使我们众人的罪孽都归在他身上。（赛53：6）

 

    All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

 

27．朗诵调

 

　　凡看见我的都嗤笑我。他们撇嘴摇头，说：（诗22：7）

 

All those who see Me ridicule Me; They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,

 

28．合唱

 

　　他把自己交托耶和华，耶和华可以救他吧！耶和华既喜悦他，可以搭救他吧！（诗22：8）

 

He trusted in the LORD, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!

 

29．朗诵调

 

　　辱骂伤破了我的心，我又满了忧愁；我指望有人体恤，却没有一个；我指望有人安慰，却找不着一个。（诗69：20）

 

Reproach has broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness; I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none; And for comforters, but I found none.

 

30．独唱曲

 

　　你们要观看，有象这临到我的痛苦没有？……（哀1：12）

 

Behold and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow, which has been brought on me……

 

31．朗诵调

 

　　谁想他受鞭打，从活人之地被剪除，是因我百姓的罪过呢？（赛53：8）

 

For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.

 

32．独唱曲

 

　　因为你必不将我的灵魂撇在阴间，也不叫你的圣者见朽坏。（诗16：10）

 

For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.

 

33．合唱

 

　　众城门哪，你们要抬起头来！永久的门户，你们要被举起！那荣耀的王将要进来。

荣耀的王是谁呢？就是有力有能的耶和华，在战场上有能的耶和华。

众城门哪，你们要抬起头来！永久的门户，你们要把头抬起！那荣耀的王将要进来！

荣耀的王是谁呢？万军之耶和华，他是荣耀的王。（诗24：7-10）

 

Lift up your heads, O you gates!  And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!  And the King of glory shall come in.

Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors!  And the King of glory shall come in.

Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.

 

34．朗诵调

 

　　所有的天使，神从来对哪一个说：你是我的儿子，我今日生你。（来1：5）

 

For to which of the angels did He ever say: “ You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”?

 

35．合唱

 

　　神的使者都要拜他。（来1：6）

 

Let all the angels of God worship Him.

 

36．独唱曲

 

　　你已经升上高天，掳掠仇敌；你在人间，就是在悖逆的人间，受了供献，叫耶和华神可以与他们同住。（诗68：18）

 

You have ascended on high, you have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men, even from the rebellious, that the LORD God might dwell there.

 

37．合唱

 

　　主发命令，传好信息的妇女成了大群。（诗68：11）

 

The Lord gave the word; Great was the company of those who proclaimed it.

 

38．独唱曲

 

　　报福音传喜信的人，他们的脚踪何等佳美。（罗10：15）

 

How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!

 

39．合唱

 

　　他们的声音传遍天下，他们的言语传到地极。（罗10：18，诗19：4）

 

Their sound has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.

 

40．独唱曲

 

　　外邦为什么争闹？万民为什么谋算虚妄的事？世上的君王一齐起来，臣宰一同商议，要敌挡耶和华，并他的受膏者，说：（诗2：1，2）

 

Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,

 

41．合唱

 

　　我们要挣开他们的捆绑，脱去他们的绳索。（诗2：3）

 

Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.

 

42．朗诵调

 

　　那坐在天上的必发笑，主必嗤笑他们。（诗2：4）

 

He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision.

 

43．独唱曲

 

　　你必用铁杖打破他们，你必将他们如同窑匠的瓦器摔碎。（诗2：9）

 

You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.

 

44．合唱

 

　　哈利路亚！因为主我们的神，全能者作王了。世上的国成了我主和主基督的国，他要作王，直到永永远远。万王之王，万主之主，哈利路亚。（启19：6；11：15；19：16）

 

Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever! KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Alleluia.

 

第三部——永远的荣耀

 

45．独唱曲

 

　　我知道我的救赎主活着，末了必站立在地上。我这皮肉灭绝之后，我必在肉体之外得见神。

　　基督已经从死里复活，成为睡了之人初熟的果子。（伯19：25，26，林前15：20）

 

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God.

But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

 

46．合唱

 

　　死既是因一人而来，死人复活也是因一人而来。在亚当里众人都死了；照样，在基督里众人也都要复活。（林前15：21/22）

 

For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.

 

47．朗诵调

 

　　我如今把一件奥秘的事告诉你们，我们不是都要睡觉，乃是都要改变，就在一霎时，眨眼之间，号筒末次吹响的时候。（林前15：51/52）

 

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.

 

48．独唱曲

 

　　因号筒要响，死人要复活成为不朽坏的，我们也要改变。（林前15：52）

 

For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

 

49．朗诵调

 

　　那时经上所记，死被得胜吞灭的话就应验了。（林前15：54）

 

So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

 

50．二重唱

 

　　死啊，你得胜的权势在哪里？

死啊，你的毒钩在哪里？

死的毒钩就是罪，罪的权势就是律法。（林前15：55-56）

 

O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.

 

51．合唱

 

　　感谢神，使我们借着我们的主耶稣基督得胜。（林前15：57）

 

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

52．独唱曲

 

　　神若帮助我们，谁能敌挡我们呢？谁能控告神所拣选的人呢？有神称他们为义了。谁能定他们的罪呢？有基督耶稣已经死了，而且从死里复活，现今在神的右边，也替我们祈求。（罗8：31，33，34）

 

If God is for us, who can be against us? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

 

53．合唱

 

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