Bible Commentaries
Psalms 134

Verses 1-3

Psalms 134:0

Psalms 134:1 (A Song of degrees.) Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.

Psalms 134:1 Word Study on “degrees” - Strong says the Hebrew word “ma’alah” ( מַעֲלָה ) (H4609) literally means, “elevations,” and in book of Psalms it means, “a climatic progression.” Strong says this word is derived from the Hebrew verb “‘alah” ( עָלָה ) (H5927), which means “to ascend.” This noun occurs 45 times in the Old Testament Scriptures and is often translated “steps,” as in 1 Kings 10:19. In 2 Kings 20:9-11 “ma’alah” ( מַעֲלָה ) is translated “degrees,” referring to the ten steps the shadow regressed on the king’s sundial.

Psalms 134:2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.

Psalms 134:2 Comments - The nation of Israel and the New Testament church have always used the lifting up of holy hands as a form of worship (Nehemiah 8:6, Psalms 141:2, 1 Timothy 2:8).

Nehemiah 8:6, “And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands : and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.”

Psalms 141:2, “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.”

1 Timothy 2:8, “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands , without wrath and doubting.”

Psalms 134:3 The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.

Psalms 134:3 Comments - As the last of the Songs of Ascents, sung by the pilgrims who journeyed to Jerusalem for the yearly feasts, this is a fitting benediction and blessing upon those who came to the feasts. God had commanded the priests to speak a blessing upon the children of Israel when sacrifices are brought to the Tabernacle (Numbers 6:23-27). This benediction serves to bless the people in the same way.

Numbers 6:23-27, “Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.”