Psalms 134:2

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

Lift your hands toward the sanctuary, and bless ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### 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
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 134 stands as the final psalm in the collection known as the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134). This unique compilation is traditionally understood as hymns sung by pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem for the three annual festivals (Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles) or by the Levites on duty in the Temple. Psalms 134 itself is remarkably brief, comprising only three verses, and functions as a liturgical exchange. The preceding verse, [Psalms 134:1](/psalms/134-1 "Psalm 134:1 - Call to the Servants of the Lord"), addresses "all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD," most likely referring to the Levitical night watchmen or priests. Verse 2, then, is a direct command or encouragement to these dedicated servants, urging them to "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD." The psalm concludes with a reciprocal blessing in [Psalms 134:3](/psalms/134-3 "Psalm 134:3 - The Lord's Blessing from Zion"), where the Lord blesses them from Zion. This structure suggests a powerful dialogue, perhaps between departing pilgrims and the temple staff, or an internal exhortation among the temple personnel, serving as a final, potent instruction for worship and devotion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "sanctuary" (Hebrew: _qôdesh_) in this verse unequivocally refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, the spiritual and geographical heart of ancient Israelite worship. Pilgrims from across the land would undertake arduous journeys to Jerusalem, often singing these "Songs of Ascents" as they approached and entered the holy city and its Temple courts. The act of "lifting up hands" was a ubiquitous and deeply meaningful gesture in ancient Near Eastern and Israelite worship, signifying a range of spiritual postures including prayer, supplication, surrender, praise, and an expectant posture of receiving divine blessing. It was a physical manifestation of an inward disposition of humility, reverence, and adoration. The "servants of the LORD" mentioned in [Psalms 134:1](/psalms/134-1 "Psalm 134:1 - Servants of the Lord") were primarily the Levites and priests, whose duties included maintaining the Temple, performing sacrificial rituals, and facilitating the nation's worship, often working in shifts that extended through the night. This psalm reminds them of their own paramount duty to bless the Lord within the very sacred space consecrated to Him, underscoring the Temple's centrality as the dwelling place of God's presence and the focal point of Israelite religious life.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 134:2 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it champions **Active and Intentional Worship**, emphasizing that genuine worship is not a passive activity but involves the whole person, including physical expressions of devotion. The command to "lift up your hands" underscores this active engagement, reflecting a heart reaching out to God in praise and supplication, a theme echoed in [Psalm 63:4](/psalms/63-4 "Psalm 63:4 - Lifting Hands in Worship"). Secondly, the verse highlights the crucial theme of **Blessing the Lord**, which is distinct from God blessing humanity. Here, it is the worshiper's responsibility to acknowledge God's inherent worthiness, power, and goodness, offering Him adoration and gratitude. This reciprocal act of blessing forms a core component of the covenant relationship, where human beings respond to God's grace with praise, a call to worship found throughout the entire [book of Psalms](/psalms/1 "Psalm 1 - The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked"). Thirdly, the phrase "in the sanctuary" underscores the profound theme of the **Holiness of God's Presence and Sacred Space**. While God is omnipresent, the Temple was uniquely consecrated as the specific place where His presence dwelt among His people, as commanded in [Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - Building the Sanctuary"). This emphasizes the reverence due to God and the sacredness of dedicated spaces for worship, a principle that transcends the physical Temple and points to the reverence due to God's presence wherever it is encountered.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **nâsâʼ (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** This primitive root means "to lift" or "to bear," encompassing a wide variety of literal and figurative applications. In the context of "lifting hands," it denotes the action of raising, elevating, or extending. Spiritually, it implies an act of supplication, surrender, adoration, or a reaching out towards God. It signifies a posture of dependence and an offering of oneself or one's praise to the divine.
* **qôdesh (Hebrew, _qôdesh'_):** Derived from the root _qâdash_ (to be holy), this noun refers to a "sacred place or thing," or abstractly, "sanctity" or "holiness." In Psalms 134:2, "the sanctuary" (often translated from this word) specifically denotes the Temple in Jerusalem, the consecrated space set apart for God's presence and worship. It emphasizes the unique, hallowed nature of the location where this act of worship is to occur, highlighting its separation from the common and its dedication to God.
* **bârak (Hebrew, _bârak'_):** A primitive root meaning "to kneel," and by implication, "to bless." When applied to God, as in "bless the LORD," it signifies an act of adoration, praise, and thanksgiving, acknowledging God's supreme worthiness and goodness. It is a declaration of His greatness and an expression of gratitude for His character and works. This is distinct from God blessing humanity; here, it is humanity's reverent response of honor and veneration directed towards God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Lift up your hands":** This opening clause issues a direct command for a specific physical action—the raising or extending of hands. This gesture, deeply embedded in ancient Israelite worship, was a powerful visual and embodied expression of prayer, supplication, praise, and surrender. It symbolized reaching out to God, acknowledging dependence on Him, and offering one's entire being or one's adoration. It serves as an invitation to engage the physical body in worship, reflecting an inward posture of reverence, humility, and devotion.
* **"[in] the sanctuary":** This phrase precisely specifies the consecrated location where the commanded action of worship is to take place. "The sanctuary" refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, the holy place uniquely set apart for God's dwelling and serving as the central hub of Israelite worship. The inclusion of this detail underscores the profound sacredness of the space and the reverence appropriate for worshipping within God's perceived immediate presence. It implies a sense of awe, purity, and respect due to the dedicated space where divine encounter was expected and facilitated.
* **"and bless the LORD":** This concluding imperative articulates the ultimate purpose and spiritual outcome of the commanded action. To "bless the LORD" means to offer Him praise, adoration, and thanksgiving. It is an act of acknowledging His supreme authority, infinite goodness, and majestic character. This command highlights that worship is fundamentally about ascribing worth to God, recognizing His identity as "the LORD" (Yahweh, H3068), the self-existent, covenant-keeping God. It is the worshiper's active, volitional response of honor, glorification, and profound veneration directed towards the divine Creator and Sustainer.

#### 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.

* [Psalms 63:4](/psalms/63-4 "Psalm 63:4 - My lips will praise you, for your steadfast love is better than life.")
* [Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.")
* [Revelation 4:11](/revelation/4-11 "Revelation 4:11 - You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.")

### 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
* **In what ways can I more intentionally engage my body in worship, allowing my physical posture to reflect an inward attitude of adoration and surrender to God?**
* **How does my daily life, beyond formal gatherings, reflect a continuous "blessing of the LORD," acknowledging His worthiness in my thoughts, words, and actions?**
* **Considering that my body is now a temple of the Holy Spirit, how can I cultivate a mindset that treats every place I go as a "sanctuary" where God's presence is honored and worship is possible?**

### 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](/1_kings/8-22 "1 Kings 8:22 - Solomon's Prayer of Dedication"). 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](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"). 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](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Confidence to Enter the Most Holy Place")). 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](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body as a Temple of the Holy Spirit")) and empowering them to worship God "in Spirit and truth" anywhere and at any time ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23 "John 4:23-24 - True Worshipers")). 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](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - Offering a Sacrifice of Praise Through Jesus")). 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.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.