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In the KJVVerse 16,175 of 31,102
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Commentary on Psalms 134 verses 1–3
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.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.
3 The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.
This psalm instructs us concerning a two-fold blessing: -
I. Our blessing God, that is, speaking well of him, which here we are taught to do, Psa 134:1, Psa 134:2. 1. It is a call to the Levites to do it. They were the servants of the Lord by office, appointed to minister in holy things; they attended the sanctuary, and kept the charge of the house of the Lord, Num 3:6, etc. Some of them did by night stand in the house of the Lord, to guard the holy things of the temple, that they might not be profaned, and the rich things of the temple, that they might not be plundered. While the ark was in curtains there was the more need of guards upon it. They attended likewise to see that neither the fire on the altar nor the lamps in the candlestick went out. Probably it was usual for some devout and pious Israelites to sit up with them; we read of one that departed not from the temple night or day, Luk 2:37. Now these are here called upon to blesss the Lord. Thus they must keep themselves awake by keeping themselves employed. Thus they must redeem time for holy exercises; and how can we spend our time better than in praising God? It would be an excellent piece of husbandry to fill up the vacancies of time with pious meditations and ejaculations; and surely it is a very modest and reasonable to converse with God when we have nothing else to do. Those who stood in the house of the Lord must remember where they were, and that holiness and holy work became that house. Let them therefore bless the Lord; let them all do it in concert, or each by himself; let them lift up their hands in the doing of it, in token of the lifting up of their hearts. Let them lift up their hands in holiness (so Dr. Hammond reads it) or in sanctification, as it is fit when they lift them up in the sanctuary; and let them remember that when they were appointed to wash before they went in to minister they were thereby taught to lift up holy hands in prayer and praise. 2. It is a call to us to do it, who, as Christians, are made priests to our God, and Levites, Isa 66:21. We are the servants of the Lord; we have a place and a name in his house, in his sanctuary; we stand before him to minister to him. Even by night we are under his eye and have access to him. Let us therefore bless the Lord, and again bless him; think and speak of his glory and goodness. Let us lift up our hands in prayer, in praise, in vows; let us do our work with diligence and cheerfulness, and an elevation of mind. This exhortation is ushered in with Behold! a note commanding attention. Look about you, Sirs, when you are in God's presence, and conduct yourselves accordingly.
II. God's blessing us, and that is doing well for us, which we are here taught to desire, Psa 134:3. Whether it is the watchmen's blessing their captain, or the Levites' blessing the high priest, or whoever was their chief (as many take it, because it is in the singular number, The Lord bless thee), or whether the blessing is pronounced by one upon many ("The Lord bless thee, each of you in particular, thee and thee; you that are blessing God, the Lord bless you"), is not material. We may learn, 1. That we need desire no more to make us happy than to be blessed of the Lord, for those whom he blesses are blessed indeed. 2. That blessings out of Zion, spiritual blessings, the blessings of the covenant, and of communion with God, are the best blessings, which we should be most earnest for. 3. It is a great encouragement to us, when we come to God for a blessing, that it is he who made heaven and earth, and therefore has all the blessings of both at his disposal, the upper and nether springs. 4. We ought to beg these blessings, not only for ourselves, but for others also; not only, The Lord bless me, but, The Lord bless thee, thus testifying our belief of the fulness of divine blessings, that there is enough for others as well as for us, and our good-will also to others. We must pray for those that exhort us. Though the less is blessed of the greater (Heb 7:7), yet the greater must be prayed for by the less.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–3. Public domain.
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Ambrose of MilanAD 397
Letter 63: To the church of Vercellae
Sitting we speak against others, but standing up we praise the Lord, as it is said; "Behold now, praise the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord; ye that stand in the house of the Lord." He who sits, to speak of the habit of the body, is, as it were, dissolved by ease, and relaxes the energy of his mind. But the careful watchman, the unwearied scout, the wakeful sentinel who keeps the outposts of the camp, these stand. The brave warrior also, who would prevent the designs of his enemy, stands ready in his rank ere he is looked for.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 134
"Behold, now, bless ye the Lord, all you servants of the Lord" [Psalm 134:1], "who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God" [Psalm 134:2]. Why has he added, "in the courts"? Courts mean the wider spaces of a house. He who stands in the courts is not straitened, is not confined, in some fashion is enlarged. Remain in this enlargement, and you can love your enemy, because you love not things in which an enemy could straiten you. How can you be understood to stand in the courts? Stand in charity, and you stand in the courts. Breadth lies in charity, straitness in hatred.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 134
"Lift up your hands by night in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord" [Psalm 134:2]. It is easy to bless by day. What is "by day"? In prosperity. For night is a sad thing, day a cheerful. When it is well with you, thou dost bless the Lord. Your son was sick, and he is made whole, thou dost bless the Lord. Your son was sick, perchance you have sought an astrologer, a soothsayer, perchance a curse against the Lord has come, not from your tongue, but from your deeds, from your deeds and your life. Boast not, because you bless with your tongue, if you curse with your life. Wherefore bless ye the Lord. When? By night. When did Job bless? When it was a sad night. All was taken away which he possessed; the children for whom his goods were stored were taken away. How sad was his night! Let us however see whether he blesses not in the night. "The Lord gave, the Lord has taken away; it is as the Lord willed; blessed be the name of the Lord." [Job 1:21] And black was the night....
CassiodorusAD 585
EXPOSITIONS OF THE PSALMS 133:1-2
But notice what “Lift up” means: “Give alms more generously,” for the Lord not only demands pious words from us, but also deeds. He added, “in the sanctuary,” so that the hand of a Christian may produce the alms. For if heretics or pagans give alms, their hands are not lifted up in the sanctuary, inasmuch as Christ accepts only those very alms that a faithful Christian offers to his name. Nonetheless, lest someone arrogate anything to himself, he says that one ought to bless the Lord while doing this act, since he himself grants both a merciful mind and abundant wealth. Thus he teaches that the love of the Lord ought to be fulfilled with sacred praises and pious deeds. When these things have been accomplished, see how a worthy reward follows.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 134:2, a concise yet profound exhortation within the concluding Song of Ascents, issues a direct call to those serving within the sacred space of the sanctuary to engage in an active, physical expression of worship and adoration towards the Lord. It encapsulates a timeless truth about the proper posture of the worshiper, emphasizing both the hallowed location and the intentional action of blessing God, serving as a powerful liturgical instruction or benediction within the pilgrimage psalms.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 134:2 employs several key literary devices that amplify its concise yet potent message. The most prominent is the Imperative Mood, as the verse presents direct commands ("Lift up," "bless"). This creates a sense of urgency, authority, and direct instruction, emphasizing the active and volitional nature of worship that is expected from the "servants of the LORD." The use of Synecdoche is also evident, where "hands" (a part of the body) represent the whole person in worship. Lifting hands is not merely a physical act but a symbolic gesture of the worshiper's entire being surrendered, offered, and reaching out to God in devotion. Furthermore, the verse subtly employs Parallelism by juxtaposing the physical action ("Lift up your hands") with the spiritual purpose ("and bless the LORD"). This implies that the outward posture facilitates and expresses the inward devotion, creating a harmonious unity between body and spirit in worship. Finally, the specific mention of "the sanctuary" functions as Symbolism, representing not merely a physical building but the very presence and holiness of God, thereby inviting a reverent, intentional, and awe-filled approach to divine encounter.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 134:2 provides a timeless theological principle: worship is an active, intentional, and reverent engagement with God, often expressed through both physical and verbal means, acknowledging His supreme worthiness. This verse, rooted in the Temple worship of ancient Israel, transcends its original context to speak to the universal human call to adore the Creator. It teaches that our worship is not merely passive reception but a dynamic offering of praise and honor back to God. The command to "bless the LORD" highlights the reciprocal nature of the covenant relationship, where God blesses His people, and they, in turn, bless Him through their adoration and obedience. This act of blessing God is a fundamental aspect of recognizing His sovereignty and goodness, shifting our focus from self to the divine and affirming His preeminence.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 134:2 serves as a powerful reminder that worship is an active and embodied response to God's holiness. While the physical sanctuary of the Jerusalem Temple no longer stands as the exclusive place of worship, the spiritual principles conveyed remain profoundly relevant for believers today. We are called to engage in worship with intentionality, allowing our physical postures and expressions to reflect the reverence and adoration of our hearts. Whether through lifting hands in prayer, kneeling in humility, raising our voices in song, or simply bowing our heads in quiet reverence, our bodies can become instruments of praise that outwardly express our inward devotion. More importantly, the call to "bless the LORD" challenges us to cultivate a continuous lifestyle of gratitude and praise, acknowledging God's sovereignty, goodness, and majesty in every circumstance, not just during formal worship. As New Testament believers, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, our very bodies become temples of God, making every place where we stand in His presence a spiritual sanctuary. This verse invites us to bring a spirit of reverence and active worship into all areas of our lives, transforming ordinary spaces into places of divine encounter and continually offering Him the praise and honor He is eternally due.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of "lifting up hands" in ancient worship?
Answer: Lifting up hands was a common and profound gesture in ancient Israelite worship, signifying a variety of spiritual postures and intentions. It could express fervent supplication, reaching out to God in prayer or petition, as seen in 1 Kings 8:22. It also conveyed surrender, an offering of oneself or one's praise to God, and an expectant posture of receiving blessing, help, or favor from Him. This physical act was a visible manifestation of an inward posture of humility, dependence, trust, and adoration, making worship an embodied and holistic experience that engaged both spirit and body.
Does "bless the LORD" mean the same thing as "the LORD bless you"?
Answer: No, these phrases have distinct and important meanings. When the Bible says "the LORD bless you," it refers to God, as the sovereign Giver of all good things, bestowing favor, provision, protection, spiritual gifts, or prosperity upon humanity. It is a divine act flowing from God to His creation. However, when we are commanded to "bless the LORD," it means to acknowledge God's inherent greatness, to praise Him, to offer Him adoration, and to express gratitude for His character, His works, and His covenant faithfulness. It is an act of ascribing worth and glory to God, recognizing His supreme authority and goodness. This distinction highlights the reciprocal nature of the relationship, where God's blessing flows to us, and our blessing (praise, honor, worship) flows back to Him as our rightful response.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 134:2, with its call to "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD," finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound transformation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament sanctuary was a physical structure, a shadow pointing to heavenly realities, Jesus Christ is the true and ultimate sanctuary, the very dwelling place of God among humanity, as declared in John 1:14. Through His perfect life, atoning sacrifice on the cross, and glorious resurrection, Christ has opened a new and living way into the heavenly sanctuary, allowing believers to draw near to God with confidence and boldness (Hebrews 10:19-22). No longer confined to a physical temple in Jerusalem, believers are now indwelt by the Holy Spirit, making their very bodies temples of God (1 Corinthians 6:19) and empowering them to worship God "in Spirit and truth" anywhere and at any time (John 4:23-24). The command to "bless the LORD" is beautifully fulfilled as believers offer a "sacrifice of praise" through Christ, continually acknowledging and confessing His name (Hebrews 13:15). Our lifted hands now symbolize not just supplication, but also the offering of our entire lives in grateful service and adoration to the One who has brought us into the very presence of God through His finished work, transforming every aspect of our existence into a living sanctuary where the Lord is blessed.