Bible Commentaries
Psalms 134

Introduction

A Song of degrees.

The psalm is responsive. Psalms 134:1-2, are an address to the priests who kept the night watches in the temple, (1 Chronicles 9:33,) and Psalms 134:3 is the reply. The address was by the people, or by one division of the watch to another. The berakah ( blessing or benediction) is the characteristic feature. With this, which it was the prerogative of the priesthood to pronounce, the house of God should be always vocal. This alternate cry of the watchers during the night was a note of time, and also a signal that they were on duty. So in the eastern Moslem caravans watch-men cry one to another through the night, “God is one, he is merciful,” and often add, “Take heed to yourselves.” Compare Isaiah 52:8; Isaiah 62:6. The psalm closes the list of “pilgrim songs,” or songs of degrees, (see note on title of Psalms 120:0,) and is purposely placed at the end of the collection, says Delitzsch, in order to take the place of a final berakah.

Verse 1

1. The behold calls for special attention, as if something important was to be done or said. It was the special duty of the priests to pronounce the blessing on the people.

Bless ye the Lord We “bless the Lord” when we confess and praise him as the Source of all good. He blesses us when he confers good upon us. The call is to excite and encourage the priests to the duties of their holy office.

Which… stand in the house of the Lord The word “stand” denotes being in the place and act of duty, and is specially used of the priest’s office, Deuteronomy 10:8; Deuteronomy 18:5; Deuteronomy 18:7. This attitude of duty continued, in various forms, through the night watches, not only to guard, but to see that everything was ready for the morning service. See introduction. “If the Psalter contains morning psalms (Psalms 3, 63) and evening psalms, (Psalms 4, 141,) why should it not then contain a watch psalm?”

Verse 2

2. Lift up your hands That is, in prayer and benediction. Exodus 17:11; 1 Timothy 2:8.

In the sanctuary Toward the holy oracle, as in Psalms 28:2, where see note.

Verse 3

3. This verse is the response of the priests within to the call of Psalms 134:1-2, from the people without.

The Lord that made heaven and earth A common formula for designating the majesty and glory of God and exalting him above all beings. Psalms 115:5; Psalms 121:2; Psalms 146:6; Isaiah 37:16.

Bless thee out of Zion It was, as we have said, the priests’ special function to bless the people. The blessing must come from God out of Zion, or through the Church. God ordinarily channels his grace in the ordinances of his house. See Psalms 128:5. The verb should be taken optatively, as in Numbers 6:24: may he bless, not he shall bless.