Bible Commentaries

Psalms 134.

An exhortation to bless God.

A Song of Degrees.

Title. המעלות שׁיר Shiir hammangaloth.] It is not known by whom this psalm was composed; but it seems to have been designed to be sung at the shutting up of the gates of the temple: the two first verses by the high priest, to excite the priests and Levites, whose turn it was to watch that night, to be diligent in their office of singing psalms: and making devout prayers for the people; and the last verse by those priests and Levites who there prayed for God's blessing upon him who had thus admonished them of their duty.

Psalms 134:1. Which stand— That is, minister. So the word is used, Deuteronomy 10:8; Deuteronomy 18:7. See also Leviticus 8:35. 1 Samuel 3:3. &c.

Psalms 134:3. Bless thee— i.e. the high priest, or perhaps the precentor, or some one of the priests who was superior to the rest, and who had sung the two foregoing verses. Out of Zion, means, "from the ark, which is placed here, in this temple upon mount Zion, where Jehovah hath his special residence."

REFLECTIONS.—In the courts of the tabernacle, the Levites kept constant watch and ward night and day; and in these hours of their attendance the Psalmist directs them,

1. How to employ their time in blessing, praises, and prayer to God, the happy occupation of all God's faithful people, who delight in the courts of his sanctuary, ceaseless watch unto prayer, and in every thing give thanks.

2. They thank and pray for him who gives them this good advice; the Lord that made heaven and earth, bless thee out of Zion. Or these words may be considered as an encouragement to engage their praises, because the Lord out of Zion shall bless thee, returning in blessings upon themselves the praises they offered up to him. Note; They who wait upon God shall find the blessedness of his service; he will bless us, and we need nothing more than a continuance of his blessings to make us happy, now and for evermore.