Sibu Zhen's "The Treasury of David": Fulfilling an Elder's Dream
By Pan Qiusong
December 15, 2016
During the winter break of my university years, some brothers and sisters from the campus fellowship participated in a college-level spiritual retreat, while others joined a Bible reading camp. I chose the latter. This camp is held once a year at the CPC Corporation Oil Refinery in Chiayi. Participants may have attended Bible study groups in various locations over the past year to prepare for this camp. Each camp is accompanied by study notes written by co-workers, which are printed and distributed to the participants. One year, the full-time co-workers were inspired to add some additional notes at the last minute, and they invited me to participate in writing them. The notes hastily written that night, along with those distributed over the years, survived more than ten moves I made. Twenty years ago, in the office of two teachers at a seminary in Taiwan, I even saw several copies placed on a shelf attached to a desk.
This camp is primarily the burden of an elderly brother, He Guangming, who has poor eyesight. Therefore, when talking to people, he does not look at them sideways but rather sideways. Whenever he reads, he holds the Bible or book close to his good eye. Despite his eye condition, he is well-versed in the Bible, and when preaching and needing to quote scripture, he usually recites it directly. Uncle He (we all call him that, only full-time co-workers call him Brother He) usually pastors in Syracuse, New York, and returns to Taiwan every winter break to lead this camp.
For the past few days, a thought has been lingering in my mind. It should be February 1982, and the attached photo is the group photo from that year. For me, it is also a precious memory because it was our first photo together with my wife. Today, while scanning, I found that we were still on the same straight line. Hehe, back to the point. Uncle He suddenly mentioned that he really hoped to see a Chinese translation of a set of books and publicly asked who would be willing to participate. This set of books consists of seven volumes, and he hopes that seven brothers and sisters will each take on the translation work of one volume. I, a novice, and a fellow student from the foreign language department each "adopted" a volume.
Not long after, I received the third volume of this set of books. This set of books is called "The Treasury of David," compiled by the prince of preachers, Charles Spurgeon, bringing together the essence of his important Psalm commentaries, along with his own explanations and advice for preachers. This is Spurgeon's magnum opus. Spurgeon's wife said: even if Spurgeon had not written any other books, this set would have been enough to make him famous. The third volume includes Psalms 53 to 78, and I seriously tried to translate the first few pages but found it not easy, so I put it aside. Years later, when I reunited with the fellow student from the foreign language department, she also had not translated it. Uncle He never asked about it either. Now, more than twenty years after his return to heaven, "The Treasury of David" still has no Chinese translation.
Later, I bought the complete set of "The Treasury of David" and translated the first four pieces myself. Recently, the thought that kept lingering in my mind was whether I could fulfill Uncle He's dream? But, is it easy to talk about? The original work is almost four thousand pages, and judging from the four pieces I translated, the whole book is about 4.6 million words. I already have enough work on my hands; do I have the energy to take care of this monumental work? A few days ago, I quoted a sentence from this set of books on WeChat, and unexpectedly, many brothers and sisters responded enthusiastically, eagerly anticipating the publication of the Chinese translation of this set by Wheat Ear Publishing. I still dare not speak out. Another unexpected event was that a translator wrote to me that day. A few months ago, I wanted to ask him to translate another book, but he said he would not be available until the end of the year. This time, the letter was about discussing the translation project. However, due to changes in plans, we gave up on the original book. I asked him if there was any particular book he felt burdened to translate. His answer was commentary on Psalms or spiritual devotion, and he has been preaching on Psalms recently. I felt this seemed like confirmation from God. But he said he needed to talk to the pastor. Unexpectedly, the pastor took the initiative to talk to him about future ministry and allowed him to participate freely. This seemed like another confirmation.
I was moved. After prayer, I decided to start this project, translating it over three to four years. I will arrange for several translators to take on this set of books. As for the cost, it has never been our main concern. If it is from God, He will faithfully supply all that is needed. But we want to encourage brothers and sisters to participate in this project, care about it, and pray for it. If you feel moved, you are also welcome, whether personally or as a church, to support it with money, because as Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Before this entire set of books is published, we will gradually need various expenses for translation, editing, layout, design, printing, and promotion. So, whenever you feel moved, feel free to contact us and let us know how you would like to collaborate with us and how you can participate.
"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:7-8). Let us together look to this unchanging faithful Lord, fulfill the dream of this spiritual elder, and meet the urgent need of the Chinese church, so that the name of the Lord may once again be lifted up and glorified.
Continued
The first volume of "The Treasury of David" was published in 2020; due to heavy workload, the editing work for the second volume was postponed again and again. Finally, it was confirmed to be published in November of this year.