Psalm 134

ayin jade · July 27, 2021

It has been awhile since I have done any bible studies on worthy. Real life, medical issues, helping my folks after Mom fell, and then moving, all took my attention. But I started up again.

For those not familiar with my studies (there are many on worthy as well as my study blog link in my signature), these are just my study notes based on reading many commentaries. Pages and pages of them. I read a chapter then I go over it verse by verse. I read through commentaries etc to glean background information, rejecting what does not seem correct and keeping what does. I mix it up, add some of my own, interspersed with paragraphs from the commentaries. The commentaries and all my notes are what I post with each verse. For copyright purposes, I use the KJV since it is not copyrighted in the US, and for posting publicly, I use commentaries whose copyrights are public domain. When reading my study/ studies, I encourage you to use whichever version of the bible you are most comfortable with. I used the following commentaries: John Wesley's Explanatory Notes; Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge; Spurgeon's A Treasury of David; Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary; Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament; Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary; Albert Barnes Notes on the Bible; Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible; John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible and Strong's Concordance. There are many others I have used too, including modern commentaries The modern ones I have not posted from in my public studies.

And now, Psalm 134 .....

ayin jade · July 27, 2021

Psalm 134

This psalm is an exhortation to praise God in his sanctuary. This is the last of fifteen Psalms 120–134 to each of which is prefixed the title “A Song of Degrees.” Four of these psalms are ascribed to David, one of them to Solomon, and the rest are by unknown authors. It is of the nature of a doxology as now sung in our places of worship.

The author of Psalm 134 is unknown although John Gill in his commentary writes that one bible manuscript (the Syriac) claims David as the author. It reads: "a psalm of David, concerning the priests, whom he appointed to wait on the ministry of the Lord in the nights; but, spiritually, an instruction of life.''

Psalm 135 is intimately connected with the two preceding Psalms, and is an exhortation to the priests and Levites who kept nightly watch in the temple, to the assiduous in praising the Lord. This Psalm consists of a greeting, Psalm 134:1-2, and the reply Psalm 134:3. The greeting is addressed to those priests and Levites who have the night-watch in the Temple;

The psalm is a summons to praise. Commentators agree it seems to be written in two parts, to be sung by two different groups. They do not agree as to which groups sing the first part. One commentator says it would seem not improbable that it was designed to be sung by alternate choirs - the first Psalm 134:1-2 representing the people approaching the sanctuary, calling on those who habitually serve God there - the ministers of religion - to lift up their hands in the sanctuary and to praise the Lord; the second Psalm 134:3, the response of the priests or the ministers of religion, pronouncing a blessing on the people - a blessing as proceeding out of Zion. A second commentator believes that it consists of: first, an exhortation, possibly from the high priest, to those priests and Levites who kept watch in the temple by night, to spend their time profitably, and duly celebrate the praises of God, Psalm 134:1-2. The second part, which is contained in the Psalm 134:3, is the prayer of the priests and Levites for the high priest, who seems now to be going to his rest.

Song of Degrees or Song of Ascent - Also called Song of Steps. A title given to 15 psalms (Psalms 120-134). There are several interpretations of what it refers to. One such view suggests they were sung as one went up a set of stairs in the temple, unlikely, as at least four were written before there was a temple with steps. Tourists today often read the 15 psalms as they climb the Southern Steps of the Second Temple. Rabbinic tradition does not associate these stairs with the Songs of Degrees. Another unlikely view is that it refers to the step-like progressive rhythm of their thoughts. Other scholars suppose that the title is a musical term, and that the reference is to something special in the rhythm, which in the East would be called “steps” or “ascents.” Some early church fathers suggested they are traveling songs of the returning exiles, although many of them indicate they are meant for the temple. The prevailing view is that the hymns were sung by pilgrim bands on their way to the three great festivals of the Jewish year. The journey to Jerusalem was called a “going up,” regardless of which direction they came from.

Exodus 34:24 For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year.

1 Kings 12:27 If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah.

Psalm 122:1 A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

Many scholars refer to this collection of psalms as Pilgrim Psalms. All of the songs of degrees fit these annual pilgrimages. In reality, it is impossible to say for sure which is the correct meaning behind the phrase “Song of Degrees.”

ayin jade · July 27, 2021

Psalm 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.

Behold - As if calling attention to the fact that they were there, or had come.

Bless ye the Lord - Praise the Lord. Making known their desire that God should be praised, and calling on those who presided over the public worship of the sanctuary to engage now in that service as expressive of their feelings.

Behold, bless ye the Lord - employ your hearts and tongues in singing forth the praises of the Lord.

All ye servants of the Lord - The priests or ministers of religion, appointed especially to this service.

Which by night stand in the house of the Lord – The Septuagint adds in the courts of the house of our God. Psalm 134:1 A Song of Degrees. Behold now, bless ye the Lord, all the servants of the Lord, who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. (Septuagint) It comes from

Psalm 135:2 who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. (Septuagint)

Psalm 135:2 Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God, (KJV)

Which by night stand in the house of the Lord - There was a class of singers in the temple who devoted the night, or a part of the night, to praise; and it is possible that this service may have been, as it was subsequently in some of the monasteries, continued by succeeding choirs, during the entire night. Thus in 1 Chronicles 9:33 And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were free: for they were employed in that work day and night. This class is particularly addressed in this psalm, as if they were especially favored, or as if they especially possessed the ear of God in the silence of the night, and when the world slumbered around them. There is something favorable to devotion in the silence of the night; when the world sleeps; when we are alone with God; the effect may be to make the mind more solemn, and better suited for devotion.

which by night stand in the house of the Lord - it is generally interpreted of the priests and Levites, who watched in the temple by night, that it might not be profaned nor plundered; and they were obliged to stand, for none might sit in the temple but a king of the house of David. The psalmist called on them to praise God even at night.

stand in the house of the Lord - The word “stand” refers to the Levites’ office.

Deuteronomy 10:8 At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.

Deuteronomy 18:5 For the LORD thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes, to stand to minister in the name of the LORD, him and his sons for ever.

Deuteronomy 18:7 Then he shall minister in the name of the LORD his God, as all his brethren the Levites do, which stand there before the LORD.

Bless ye the Lord - Notice, then, that the priests’ duty is to praise. It is because they are the servants of the Lord that, therefore, it is their business to bless the Lord. It is because they stand in the House of the Lord that it is theirs to bless the Lord.

So for us Christians. We are servants of the Lord-His priests. That we ‘stand in the House of the Lord’ expresses not only the fact of our great privilege of confiding approach to Him and communion with Him, whereby we may ever abide in the very Holy of Holies and be in the secret place of the Most High, even while we are busy in the world, but it also points to our duty of ministering; for the word ‘stand’ is employed to designate the attendance of the priests in their office, and is almost equivalent to ‘serve.’ ‘To bless the Lord,’ then, is the work to which we are called. If we are made a ‘royal priesthood,’ it is that we ‘should show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.’

Whatever the form in which praise may come, whether it be in the form of vocal thanksgiving, or whether it be the glad surrender of the heart, manifested in the conscious discharge of the most trivial duties, whether we ‘lift up our hands in the Sanctuary, and bless the Lord’ with them, or whether we turn our hands to the tools of our daily occupation and handle them for His sake, alike we maybe praising Him. Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

But observe, further, the two kinds of blessing which answer to one another-God’s blessing of man, and man’s blessing of God. The one is communicative, the other receptive and responsive. God blesses us when He gives. We bless God when we thankfully take, and praise the Giver. God’s blessing then, must ever come first. 1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us. Ours is but the echo of His.

1 Chronicles 9:33 shows that the Levitical singers worked day and night. 1 Chronicles 9:33 And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were free: for they were employed in that work day and night. The earthly sanctuary might bear some resemblance of that above, as in Revelation 7:15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

ayin jade · July 27, 2021

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

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary - The lifting up of the hands is properly expressive of prayer, but the phrase may be used to denote praise or worship in general. Lifting up of the hands displays the anticipation of gratefully receiving from God, and the sense of surrender to Him.

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary - The expression seems very similar to that in 1 Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary - Psalm 141:2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. which should be in a holy manner

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary - or towards the holy place; the oracle in the holy of holies, and the ark of the covenant, typical of Christ; Psalm 28:2 Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.

Bless the Lord - That is, speak good of his name: tell the wonders he has wrought, and show that his name is exalted. Repeating the admonition to bless the Lord, to offer up praise, for emphasis, to show the importance of the work, that it might not be forgotten and neglected; this being a principal part of spiritual service, and greatly acceptable to God.

ayin jade · July 27, 2021

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

The Lord that made heaven and earth - The great Creator of all things. This is probably the language of those who were thus employed in the service of the Lord at night; their response to the address in the first two verses.

The Lord that made heaven and earth - Who governs and possesses all things; and who can give you every spiritual and earthly blessing.

The Lord that made heaven and earth - commonly used for designating the majesty and glory of God, exalting Him above all beings.

Psalm 115:15 Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

Isaiah 37:16 O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.

Bless thee out of Zion - That is, bless those who thus approached the sanctuary, and called on those within to praise the Lord. This is the answer. Let the blessing of God rest on you. It is language showing that they appreciated the kind and encouraging salutation, and that they reciprocated the feelings and the good wishes of those who came to worship. In the name of the Lord whom they served, therefore, and appealing to him, they pronounced a blessing on those who thus approached the sanctuary.

Bless thee out of Zion – Many commentators compare to the Aaronic blessing in Numbers 6:22-27.

Numbers 6:22 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Numbers 6:23 Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them,

Numbers 6:24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

Numbers 6:25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

Numbers 6:26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Numbers 6:27 And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.

Bless thee out of Zion – they are the words of the psalmist, promising a blessing from the Lord to those that blessed him; as an encouragement to them, to everyone of them, to be constant and diligent in this service.

Bless thee out of Zion – where God dwells, Psalm 132:13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.

Bless thee out of Zion – The line is taken from the priestly blessing in Numbers 6:24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: with the addition of out of Zion. Psalm 128:5 The LORD shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.