Bible Commentaries

1. The behold calls for special attention, as if something important was to be done or said. It was the special duty of the priests to pronounce the blessing on the people.

Bless ye the Lord—We “bless the Lord” when we confess and praise him as the Source of all good. He blesses us when he confers good upon us. The call is to excite and encourage the priests to the duties of their holy office.

Which… stand in the house of the Lord—The word “stand” denotes being in the place and act of duty, and is specially used of the priest’s office, Deuteronomy 10:8; Deuteronomy 18:5; Deuteronomy 18:7. This attitude of duty continued, in various forms, through the night watches, not only to guard, but to see that everything was ready for the morning service. See introduction. “If the Psalter contains morning psalms (Psalms 3, 63) and evening psalms, (Psalms 4, 141,) why should it not then contain a watch psalm?”

2. Lift up your hands—That is, in prayer and benediction. Exodus 17:11; 1 Timothy 2:8.

In the sanctuary—Toward the holy oracle, as in Psalms 28:2, where see note.

3. This verse is the response of the priests within to the call of Psalms 134:1-2, from the people without.

The Lord that made heaven and earth—A common formula for designating the majesty and glory of God and exalting him above all beings. Psalms 115:5; Psalms 121:2; Psalms 146:6; Isaiah 37:16.

Bless thee out of Zion—It was, as we have said, the priests’ special function to bless the people. The blessing must come from God out of Zion, or through the Church. God ordinarily channels his grace in the ordinances of his house. See Psalms 128:5. The verb should be taken optatively, as in Numbers 6:24 : may he bless, not he shall bless.