Psalm 134:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who made heaven and earth!

NIV: May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.

NASB: May the Lord bless you from Zion, He who made heaven and earth.

CSB: May the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.

NLT: May the Lord, who made heaven and earth, bless you from Jerusalem.

KJV: The Lord that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.

NKJV: The Lord who made heaven and earth Bless you from Zion!

Prior verses (Psalm 134:1–2) encouraged priests and Levites working in the temple (Leviticus 8:35) to worship God at all times. Here, the psalmist prays a blessing on those servants. He refers to God as the Creator of all things. The expression "heaven and earth" is meant to imply all of creation (Genesis 14:19; Acts 17:24). Zion is another name for the city of Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Kings 8:1).

Prayers for blessing are common in the Old Testament (Psalm 128:5). One of the most common and important is the Aaronic blessing of Numbers 6:24–26:

The LORD bless you and keep you;

the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Psalm 134:3 is a suitable way to end the songs "of ascents" (Psalms 120—134). Zion is another name for the city of Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Kings 8:1). Since God is the creator, He has the power to offer meaningful blessings.

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 4/16/2025 3:21:14 PM