《周颂·维天之命》是中国古代第一部诗歌总集《诗经》中的一首诗。这是周成王称颂周文王之德的祭文。此诗共八句,不分章,其内容大致可分为两部分。前一部分四句盛赞周文王之德,能上应天命;后一部分四句说文王德业泽被后代,后代子孙要勉力保守家业,忠诚地遵循文王遗教,发扬光大。全诗情意朴素,语言简洁,条理分明。
维[1]天之命
维天之命,
於穆不已。
於乎不显,
文王之德之纯!
假[2]以溢[3]我,
我其收之。
骏惠[4]我文王,
曾孙笃之。
想来天道运行不悖,
庄严肃穆永不停歇。
多么显赫啊光明无限,
文王的德行真纯正!
善道仁政令我平静,
我们应当好好继承。
遵循先祖文王的德行,
子子孙孙都要身体力行。
注释:
[1] 维:同“惟”,想的意思。
[2] 假:通“嘉”,指仁政。
[3] 溢:通“谧”,静谧,平静。
[4] 骏惠:顺从。
King Wen Deified[1]
Great Heaven goes its way
Without cease and for aye.
O King Wen’s virtue great
Will likewise circulate.
His virtue overflows
And in his descendants grows.
Whatever King Wen has done
Will profit his grandson.
[1] This hymn celebrating King Wen’s virtue as comparable to that of Heaven was sung when King Cheng performed a sacrifice to his grandfather in 1110 B. C.