Psalms Chapter 134 — A Call to Nighttime Worship
This brief psalm calls upon the servants of the Lord to offer praise in the temple during the night and concludes with a blessing from God.
1Look! Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD,
2Lift up your hands in the sanctuary.
3May the LORD bless you from Zion,
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Psalms 134:2
“Lift up your hands in the sanctuary.”
This verse describes a physical posture of worship and reverence directed toward God's holy place.
Psalms 134:3
“May the LORD bless you from Zion,”
This concluding blessing connects the act of worship with the favor of God the Creator.
Chapter Summary
Psalm 134 serves as the conclusion to the 'Songs of Ascents,' a collection of psalms traditionally sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. The text is a brief liturgical exhortation consisting of only three verses. It begins with a command for the servants of the Lord—specifically the priests and Levites who remained in the temple during the night hours—to offer praise. These worshippers are instructed to lift their hands toward the sanctuary, a traditional posture of prayer and adoration. The psalm ends with a reciprocal blessing, where the speaker asks that the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth, bestow a blessing from His dwelling place in Zion. It highlights the cycle of continuous worship and the relationship between God and His people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Psalm 134 is the final chapter of the 'Songs of Ascents' (Psalms 120-134). It was likely used as a concluding liturgical piece for pilgrims visiting the temple in Jerusalem.
The 'servants' refers to the priests and Levites who were responsible for the care and services of the temple, including those who kept watch or performed duties during the night.
Lifting up hands was a common biblical gesture of prayer and worship, symbolizing the lifting of the heart and mind toward God in adoration.
Study Note
Psalm 134 is the shortest of the Songs of Ascents and likely served as a parting blessing for pilgrims as they prepared to leave the temple.
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