Psalms 134
BSB1 Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who serve by night in the house of the LORD! 2 Lift up your hands to the sanctuary and bless the LORD! 3 May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.
Study Notes — Psalms 134
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Psalms 134
- Themes from Psalms 134
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Psalms 134
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Psalms 134 begins by calling upon the servants of the Lord, specifically the priests and Levites, to bless the Lord who made heaven and earth. The psalm then turns to the Lord, asking Him to bless His people from Zion. The chapter highlights the importance of worship and the role of the priests and Levites in leading the people in worship. It also emphasizes the blessing of God and the importance of seeking His blessing. Key verses include Psalms 134:1-2, which call upon the servants of the Lord to bless Him, and Psalms 134:3, which asks the Lord to bless His people from Zion.
Context for the Chapter
Psalms 134 is part of the fifth book of the Psalms, which includes Psalms 107-150. This book is often referred to as the 'Psalms of Ascent' because many of the psalms in this book were sung by pilgrims as they traveled to Jerusalem for the festivals. Psalms 134 is a short psalm that is often classified as a 'psalm of praise' because of its emphasis on worship and the blessing of God. The psalm is likely post-exilic, meaning it was written after the Israelites returned from exile in Babylon.
Heart Application
As we read Psalms 134, we are reminded of the importance of worship and the blessing of God. We are called to bless the Lord and to seek His blessing in our lives. This means that we must prioritize worship and make it a central part of our lives. We must also recognize the importance of the role of leaders in the church in leading us in worship and guiding us in our walk with God.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Psalms 134 is a short psalm that calls upon the servants of the Lord to bless the Lord and asks the Lord to bless His people from Zion. The chapter emphasizes the importance of worship and the blessing of God. As we read this psalm, we are reminded of the importance of prioritizing worship in our lives and seeking the blessing of God. This is seen in Psalms 134:1-2, which call upon the servants of the Lord to bless the Lord, and Psalms 134:3, which asks the Lord to bless His people from Zion.
Voices from the Church
“The Lord's servants are to bless the Lord, and the Lord will bless them. This is the law of the kingdom, that those who bless the Lord shall be blessed of the Lord.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The psalmist calls upon the servants of the Lord to bless the Lord, and this is a call to all of us to worship and praise God. We must recognize the importance of worship and make it a central part of our lives.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- The Call to Worship (Psalms 134:1-2) — The psalm begins by calling upon the servants of the Lord to bless the Lord. This is a call to worship and to recognize the greatness and majesty of God.
- The Blessing of God (Psalms 134:3) — The psalm then turns to the Lord, asking Him to bless His people from Zion. This is a call to the Lord to bless and to provide for His people.
- The Importance of Worship — The psalm emphasizes the importance of worship and the role of the priests and Levites in leading the people in worship. This is seen in the call to the servants of the Lord to bless the Lord in Psalms 134:1-2.
- The Role of the Priests and Levites — The psalm highlights the importance of the role of the priests and Levites in leading the people in worship. This is seen in the call to the servants of the Lord to bless the Lord in Psalms 134:1-2.
- The Blessing of God — The psalm emphasizes the blessing of God and the importance of seeking His blessing. This is seen in the call to the Lord to bless His people from Zion in Psalms 134:3.
Core Doctrines
- The Importance of Worship
- Psalms 134 emphasizes the importance of worship and the role of the priests and Levites in leading the people in worship. This doctrine is seen in the call to the servants of the Lord to bless the Lord in Psalms 134:1-2.
- The Blessing of God
- The psalm also emphasizes the blessing of God and the importance of seeking His blessing. This doctrine is seen in the call to the Lord to bless His people from Zion in Psalms 134:3.
- The Role of the Priests and Levites
- The psalm highlights the importance of the role of the priests and Levites in leading the people in worship. This doctrine is seen in the call to the servants of the Lord to bless the Lord in Psalms 134:1-2.
- The Sovereignty of God
- The psalm emphasizes the sovereignty of God and the importance of recognizing His greatness and majesty. This doctrine is seen in the call to the servants of the Lord to bless the Lord in Psalms 134:1-2.
Lessons from Psalms 134
- The Importance of Worship — The psalm teaches us about the importance of worship and the role of the priests and Levites in leading the people in worship. This is a lesson that we can apply to our lives today by prioritizing worship and making it a central part of our lives.
- The Blessing of God — The psalm also teaches us about the blessing of God and the importance of seeking His blessing. This is a lesson that we can apply to our lives by seeking God's blessing and trusting in His provision.
- The Role of the Priests and Levites — The psalm highlights the importance of the role of the priests and Levites in leading the people in worship. This is a lesson that we can apply to our lives by recognizing the importance of leaders in the church and their role in guiding us in our walk with God.
- The Sovereignty of God — The psalm emphasizes the sovereignty of God and the importance of recognizing His greatness and majesty. This is a lesson that we can apply to our lives by trusting in God's sovereignty and recognizing His control over all things.
- The Importance of Prioritizing Worship — The psalm teaches us about the importance of prioritizing worship in our lives. This is a lesson that we can apply by making worship a central part of our lives and seeking to bless the Lord in all that we do.
Themes from Psalms 134
- Worship — The psalm emphasizes the importance of worship and the role of the priests and Levites in leading the people in worship. This theme is seen in the call to the servants of the Lord to bless the Lord in Psalms 134:1-2.
- The Blessing of God — The psalm highlights the blessing of God and the importance of seeking His blessing. This theme is seen in the call to the Lord to bless His people from Zion in Psalms 134:3.
- The Role of the Priests and Levites — The psalm emphasizes the importance of the role of the priests and Levites in leading the people in worship. This theme is seen in the call to the servants of the Lord to bless the Lord in Psalms 134:1-2.
- The Sovereignty of God — The psalm emphasizes the sovereignty of God and the importance of recognizing His greatness and majesty. This theme is seen in the call to the servants of the Lord to bless the Lord in Psalms 134:1-2.
- The Importance of Prioritizing Worship — The psalm teaches us about the importance of prioritizing worship in our lives. This theme is seen in the call to the servants of the Lord to bless the Lord in Psalms 134:1-2.
Questions for Meditation
- What is the main theme of Psalms 134, and how does it relate to our lives today?
- How does the psalm emphasize the importance of worship, and what role do the priests and Levites play in leading the people in worship?
- What does the psalm mean by 'blessing the Lord', and how can we apply this to our lives?
- How does the psalm highlight the blessing of God, and what does this mean for us?
- What can we learn from the psalm about the importance of prioritizing worship in our lives?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Call to Worship (Psalms 134:1-2)
| Psalms 134:1 | The psalm begins by calling upon the servants of the Lord to bless the Lord. This is a call to worship and to recognize the greatness and majesty of God. |
| Psalms 134:2 | The psalm then emphasizes the importance of worship and the role of the priests and Levites in leading the people in worship. This is seen in the call to lift up hands to the holy place and bless the Lord. |
2. The Blessing of God (Psalms 134:3)
| Psalms 134:3 | The psalm then turns to the Lord, asking Him to bless His people from Zion. This is a call to the Lord to bless and to provide for His people. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of Psalms 134?
The main theme of Psalms 134 is the importance of worship and the blessing of God. This is seen in the call to the servants of the Lord to bless the Lord in Psalms 134:1-2 and the call to the Lord to bless His people from Zion in Psalms 134:3.
What role do the priests and Levites play in the psalm?
The priests and Levites play a crucial role in the psalm as they are called upon to bless the Lord and lead the people in worship. This is seen in the call to the servants of the Lord to bless the Lord in Psalms 134:1-2.
What does the psalm mean by 'blessing the Lord'?
The psalm means that we are to worship and praise God, recognizing His greatness and majesty. This is seen in the call to the servants of the Lord to bless the Lord in Psalms 134:1-2.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 134:1 → Exodus 29:1 | The call to bless the Lord in Psalms 134:1 is reminiscent of the instructions given to the priests in Exodus 29:1, where they are commanded to consecrate the priests and the altar. |
| 2 | Psalms 134:2 → 1 Kings 8:22 | The lifting of hands to the holy place in Psalms 134:2 is similar to the actions of Solomon in 1 Kings 8:22, where he spreads out his hands towards heaven and prays to the Lord. |
| 3 | Psalms 134:3 → Deuteronomy 28:3 | The blessing of God in Psalms 134:3 is similar to the blessings promised to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 28:3, where God promises to bless them in the city and in the field. |
| 4 | Psalms 134:1 → Luke 1:74-75 | The call to bless the Lord in Psalms 134:1 is fulfilled in the New Testament, where Zechariah blesses the Lord in Luke 1:74-75, recognizing the fulfillment of God's promises. |
| 5 | Psalms 134:2 → Hebrews 10:19-22 | The lifting of hands to the holy place in Psalms 134:2 is a symbol of the access we have to God through Christ, as described in Hebrews 10:19-22. |
| 6 | Psalms 134:3 → Ephesians 1:3 | The blessing of God in Psalms 134:3 is fulfilled in the New Testament, where Paul blesses God for blessing us with every spiritual blessing in Ephesians 1:3. |
| 7 | Psalms 134:1 → 1 Peter 2:5 | The call to bless the Lord in Psalms 134:1 is reminiscent of the instructions given to the believers in 1 Peter 2:5, where they are commanded to offer spiritual sacrifices to God. |
| 8 | Psalms 134:2 → Revelation 7:9-10 | The lifting of hands to the holy place in Psalms 134:2 is a symbol of the worship that will take place in heaven, as described in Revelation 7:9-10. |
| 9 | Psalms 134:3 → Acts 3:25-26 | The blessing of God in Psalms 134:3 is fulfilled in the New Testament, where Peter preaches about the blessing of God that comes through Jesus Christ in Acts 3:25-26. |
| 10 | Psalms 134:1 → Romans 1:25 | The call to bless the Lord in Psalms 134:1 is a reminder of the importance of worshiping the true God, as opposed to worshiping idols, as described in Romans 1:25. |
Sermons on Psalms 134
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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A Booth on the Roof by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the danger of becoming too attached to worldly possessions and material wealth. He warns that the more blessed we are, the more we tend to d |
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From Babylon to Jerusalem - (Ezra) ch.3 & 4 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of the potter and the clay from the book of Jeremiah. The speaker emphasizes that God does not give up on us even when we fail to re |
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The Forgotten Ministry: Waiting on God by G.W. North | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the forgotten ministry of ministering to the Lord. He emphasizes the importance of believers pouring out their hearts before God and waiting |
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Exposition on Psalm 135 by St. Augustine | St. Augustine preaches on the importance of praising the Lord, highlighting the goodness of God and the privilege of serving Him. He emphasizes the need for gratitude, acknowledgin |
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Standing Firm in the Lord by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the importance of standing firm in the Lord, using the imagery of the Tabernacle's boards made of acacia wood that remained standing even when stripped |
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Psalm 134 by Henry Law | Henry Law preaches about the exhortation for the ministers of the sanctuary to bless the Lord, with blessings invoked on the speaker in response. Public worship is emphasized as a |
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Worship in the Night by Charles E. Cowman | Charles E. Cowman preaches about the profound blessing of worshiping God in times of darkness and sorrow, emphasizing that true faith is tested and revealed in the midst of challen |
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Training Below for Service Above, Part 1 by Mary Wilder Tileston | Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about the eternal life believers will have with the Lord, walking in white as worthy servants in His temple. She emphasizes that the Blessed will serv |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Psalms 134
Matthew Henry's commentary on Psalms 134 emphasizes the importance of worship and the role of the priests and Levites in leading the people in worship. He notes that the psalm is a call to worship and to bless the Lord, and that this is a fundamental aspect of the Christian life. Henry also emphasizes the importance of seeking the blessing of God and trusting in His provision. He notes that the psalm is a reminder of the importance of prioritizing worship in our lives and seeking to bless the Lord in all that we do. As Henry writes, 'The Lord's servants are to bless the Lord, and the Lord will bless them. This is the law of the kingdom, that those who bless the Lord shall be blessed of the Lord.' Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Importance of Worship
The chapter emphasizes the importance of worship and the role of the priests and Levites in leading the people in worship. This is seen in the call to bless the Lord in Psalms 134:1-2 and the emphasis on the holy place in Psalms 134:2.
The Blessing of God
The chapter also emphasizes the blessing of God and the importance of seeking His blessing. This is seen in the call to the Lord to bless His people from Zion in Psalms 134:3.
The Role of the Priests and Levites
The chapter highlights the importance of the role of the priests and Levites in leading the people in worship. This is seen in the call to the servants of the Lord to bless the Lord in Psalms 134:1-2.