Psalm 134:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord!

NIV: A song of ascents. Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord.

NASB: Behold, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, Who serve by night in the house of the Lord!

CSB: A song of ascents. Now bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who stand in the Lord’s house at night!

NLT: Oh, praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, you who serve at night in the house of the Lord.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: {A Song of Ascents.} Behold, bless the Lord, All you servants of the Lord, Who by night stand in the house of the Lord!

Under the old covenant system, the tribe of Levi was responsible for maintaining the "house of the LORD." This "house" began as the tabernacle (Numbers 1:50) and eventually became the temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 6:1). These areas were under perpetual watch (Leviticus 8:35). Priests were also from the tribe of Levi (Exodus 28:1; 40:13–15; Numbers 26:59). The psalmist is calling on these appointed watchmen to offer praise to the Lord even at night.

Just as God called the tribe of Levi to service, and the sons of Aaron to priesthood, He calls believers to various roles in life. The apostle Paul understood this calling on his life (1 Corinthians 1:1). He identified himself as a servant or "slave" to the Lord (Philippians 1:1). Believers may be chosen for different tasks (1 Corinthians 12:12–13), but all are important as the church serves God in the world (1 Corinthians 12:14–20).

Psalm 134:1–2 repeats the name Yahweh four times. This is the name used by God when speaking to Moses (Exodus 3:15). The psalmist encourages worship from the Levites and priests (Numbers 1:50) who serve as caretakers of the temple (1 Kings 6:1).

The psalmist calls on the Levites who minister in the temple (Numbers 1:50; 1 Kings 6:1) to worship God. He also expresses a blessing by referring to Zion, another name for Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Kings 8:1). The Lord's role as Creator emphasizes the value of His blessing.

This is the last of the songs "of ascents" (Psalms 120—134). These were connected with pilgrimage to Jerusalem for annual festivals (Deuteronomy 16:16). Another name for the city was Zion (2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Kings 8:1). Jerusalem was situated on a series of hills; one would "ascend" to get there from other regions. The "servants" here are the Levites who tended the temple (Numbers 1:50), and the temple itself is the "house of the LORD" (1 Kings 6:1).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 12/18/2024 1:14:35 PM