Psalms 134:2

Lift up your hands [in] the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.

Lift up {H5375} your hands {H3027} in the sanctuary {H6944}, and bless {H1288} the LORD {H3068}.

Lift your hands toward the sanctuary, and bless ADONAI.

Lift up your hands to the sanctuary and bless the LORD!

Lift up your hands to the sanctuary, And bless ye Jehovah.

Commentary

Context of Psalms 134:2

Psalm 134 is the final of the fifteen "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), a collection traditionally sung by pilgrims as they ascended to Jerusalem for major festivals or by Levites on duty in the Temple. This particular psalm serves as a brief but powerful benediction or call to worship. It appears to be a dialogue or a final exhortation, possibly from the pilgrims departing the Temple to the priests or Levites who served there, or perhaps from the night watchmen of the Temple addressing their fellow servants. The verse focuses on the specific actions of worship within the sacred space of the sanctuary in Jerusalem.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Active Worship and Reverence: The command to "Lift up your hands" signifies an active, physical expression of adoration, surrender, and prayer. This posture was common in ancient Israelite worship, indicating humility, supplication, and a reaching out to God. It underscores that worship is not passive but involves the whole person.
  • Blessing the LORD: The core command is to "bless the LORD." This is distinct from God blessing humanity; here, it means to acknowledge God's greatness, express praise, adoration, and gratitude for His character and works. It is a call to ascribe honor and glory to Him.
  • Significance of the Sanctuary: Performing these actions "in the sanctuary" emphasizes the holiness of God's dwelling place. It highlights the importance of reverent behavior and specific acts of worship within a space consecrated to God, though the principles apply to worship anywhere.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Lift up your hands" comes from the Hebrew `nasa' yadayim` (ื ึธืฉึธื‚ื ื™ึธื“ึทื™ึดื), which literally means "to lift up hands." This gesture was a common and profound expression in prayer, supplication, and worship throughout the Old Testament. It conveyed dependence, surrender, and a reaching out to God in expectation or praise. For example, Psalm 63:4 speaks of lifting hands in God's name, and 1 Timothy 2:8 carries this practice into the New Testament.

To "bless the LORD" translates the Hebrew `barak Yahweh` (ื‘ึธึผืจึทืšึฐ ื™ึฐื”ื•ึธื”). The verb `barak` means to kneel, to praise, to salute, or to give honor. When applied to God, it means to offer Him adoration, praise, and thanksgiving, recognizing His supreme authority and goodness.

Practical Application

While we no longer worship in the physical Jerusalem Temple, the spiritual principles of Psalm 134:2 remain profoundly relevant.

  • Active and Intentional Worship: This verse encourages believers today to engage in worship with intentionality and expressiveness. Whether through lifting hands, kneeling, bowing, or singing, our physical postures can reflect and enhance our spiritual devotion. It reminds us that worship is an active response to God's holiness and goodness.
  • A Heart of Blessing: The call to "bless the LORD" prompts us to cultivate a lifestyle of praise and gratitude. Despite circumstances, we are called to acknowledge God's sovereignty and His worthiness of all honor. This shifts our focus from what we lack to the abundance of His character.
  • Every Place a Sanctuary: For the Christian, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, our bodies become temples of God (1 Corinthians 6:19). Therefore, every place where a believer stands in God's presence can be considered 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.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 28:2

    Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.

  • Psalms 63:4

    Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

  • 1 Timothy 2:8

    I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

  • Psalms 141:2

    Let my prayer be set forth before thee [as] incense; [and] the lifting up of my hands [as] the evening sacrifice.

  • Lamentations 3:41

    Let us lift up our heart with [our] hands unto God in the heavens.

  • Lamentations 2:19

    Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street.

  • Psalms 63:2

    To see thy power and thy glory, so [as] I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
โ† Back