Psalms 134:2
Psalms 134:2 in Multiple Translations
Lift up your hands to the sanctuary and bless the LORD!
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.
Lift up your hands to the sanctuary, And bless ye Jehovah.
Give praise to the Lord, lifting up your hands in his holy place.
Lift up your hands towards the holy place and praise the Lord.
Lift vp your hands to the Sanctuarie, and praise the Lord.
Lift up your hands [in] the sanctuary, And bless ye Jehovah.
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary. Praise the LORD!
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.
You that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.
Lift up your hands/arms to pray to him in the temple and praise him!
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 134:2
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 134:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
שְׂאֽוּ
יְדֵ/כֶ֥ם
קֹ֑דֶשׁ
וּ֝/בָרֲכוּ
אֶת
יְהוָֽה
שְׂאֽוּ
nâsâʼ
H5375
to lift
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
יְדֵ/כֶ֥ם
yâd
H3027
hand
N-cd | Suff
קֹ֑דֶשׁ
qôdesh
H6944
Holy Place
N-ms
וּ֝/בָרֲכוּ
bârak
H1288
to bless
Conj | V-Piel-Impv-2mp
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 134:2
שְׂאֽוּ
nâsâʼ
H5375
"to lift"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to lift or raise something, and it's used in many ways, like lifting a burden or raising someone's status. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah, often talking about God lifting people up. It's about supporting or carrying something or someone.
Definition: : raise/take_up 1) to lift, bear up, carry, take 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lift, lift up 1a2) to bear, carry, support, sustain, endure 1a3) to take, take away, carry off, forgive 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be lifted up, be exalted 1b2) to lift oneself up, rise up 1b3) to be borne, be carried 1b4) to be taken away, be carried off, be swept away 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to lift up, exalt, support, aid, assist 1c2) to desire, long (fig.) 1c3) to carry, bear continuously 1c4) to take, take away 1d) (Hithpael) to lift oneself up, exalt oneself 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to cause one to bear (iniquity) 1e2) to cause to bring, have brought
Usage: Occurs in 609 OT verses. KJV: accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield. See also: Genesis 4:13; Numbers 4:2; 1 Samuel 14:3.
יְדֵ/כֶ֥ם
yâd
H3027
"hand"
N-cd | Suff
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
קֹ֑דֶשׁ
qôdesh
H6944
"Holy Place"
N-ms
The Holy Place refers to a sacred or set-apart area, like the temple in Jerusalem. It is a place of sanctity and holiness, where God is worshipped. The Bible describes it as a place of reverence and awe.
Definition: This name means apartness, holiness, sacredness Also named: hagion (ἅγιον "Holy Place" G0039)
Usage: Occurs in 380 OT verses. KJV: consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, ([idiom] most) holy ([idiom] day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary. See also: Exodus 3:5; Leviticus 23:4; 1 Chronicles 26:26.
וּ֝/בָרֲכוּ
bârak
H1288
"to bless"
Conj | V-Piel-Impv-2mp
To bless means to praise or honor God, often by kneeling in worship. In the Bible, people bless God and God blesses people, showing favor and care for them, as seen in the story of Abraham and his descendants.
Definition: 1) to bless, kneel 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to kneel 1a2) to bless 1b) (Niphal) to be blessed, bless oneself 1c) (Piel) to bless 1d) (Pual) to be blessed, be adored 1e) (Hiphil) to cause to kneel 1f) (Hithpael) to bless oneself 2) (TWOT) to praise, salute, curse Aramaic equivalent: be.rakh (בְּרַךְ "to bless" H1289)
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, [idiom] altogether, [idiom] at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, [idiom] still, thank. See also: Genesis 1:22; Deuteronomy 24:19; Job 2:9.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
Study Notes — Psalms 134:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 134:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 134:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 134:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 134:2
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 134:2
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 134:2
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 134:2
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 134:2
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 134:2
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 134:2
- Sermons on Psalms 134:2
Context — Bless the LORD, All You Servants
1Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who serve by night in the house of the LORD!
2Lift up your hands to the sanctuary and bless the LORD!
3May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 28:2 | Hear my cry for mercy when I call to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary. |
| 2 | 1 Timothy 2:8 | Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or dissension. |
| 3 | Psalms 63:4 | So I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift my hands. |
| 4 | Psalms 141:2 | May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering. |
| 5 | Lamentations 3:41 | Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven: |
| 6 | Lamentations 2:19 | Arise, cry out in the night from the first watch of the night. Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children who are fainting from hunger on the corner of every street. |
| 7 | Psalms 63:2 | So I have seen You in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and glory. |
| 8 | Psalms 26:6 | I wash my hands in innocence that I may go about Your altar, O LORD, |
Psalms 134:2 Summary
[This verse is calling us to a simple yet powerful act of worship: lifting up our hands to God and blessing Him. It's a way of saying, 'God, I acknowledge You as my Lord and Savior, and I want to honor You with my whole being.' As it says in Psalms 100:4, we can 'enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise', and that's exactly what we're doing when we lift up our hands and bless the LORD. By doing so, we're following the example of the servants of the LORD in Psalms 134:1, who served by night in the house of the LORD, and we're expressing our gratitude for God's goodness and faithfulness, as seen in Psalms 23:1-6.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'lift up your hands to the sanctuary' in Psalms 134:2?
This is a physical act of worship and surrender, similar to what is described in Psalms 63:4 and 1 Timothy 2:8, where believers raise their hands in prayer and adoration to God.
Why is it important to bless the LORD?
Blessing the LORD is a way of acknowledging and expressing our gratitude for His goodness and faithfulness, as seen in Psalms 100:4-5, where we are commanded to 'enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise'.
What is the significance of the sanctuary in this verse?
The sanctuary refers to the holy place where God dwells, as described in Exodus 25:8 and Hebrews 10:19-22, and lifting up our hands to it symbolizes our desire to connect with and honor God in His holy presence.
How can we apply this verse to our daily lives?
We can apply this verse by making worship and praise a regular part of our daily routine, just as the servants of the LORD did in Psalms 134:1, and by looking for opportunities to bless and thank God throughout the day, as encouraged in Ephesians 5:20 and 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can physically express my worship and surrender to God, like lifting up my hands to the sanctuary?
- How can I cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude and thankfulness in my heart, so that I am always ready to bless the LORD?
- What are some things I can praise God for today, and how can I make praise a bigger part of my daily conversations and thoughts?
- How can I create a sacred space in my own life, like the sanctuary, where I can regularly meet with and honor God?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 134:2
Lift up your hands [in] the sanctuary,.... Which Aben Ezra interprets of the priests lifting up their hands to bless the people; but Kimchi, better, of lifting up of the hands to God in prayer; see
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 134:2
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD. Lift up your hands. The gesture signified elevation of the heart in prayer (Psalms 28:2). In the sanctuary.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 134:2
Lift up your hands unto God in prayer and praises, thus expressing and exciting your inward devotion. In the sanctuary; in that holy house of God Where you stand, . Or, in or with holiness, lift up your hands, as it is prescribed, . Do not content yourselves with lifting up your hands, but see that this be done with pure and holy hearts.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 134:2
Psalms 134:2 Lift up your hands [in] the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.Ver. 2. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary] Or, Lift up holy hands, as 1 Timothy 2:8. One readeth it, out of the Hebrew, Lift up your hands, sanctuary, that is, ye sanctuary men, continens pro contento. Hearts and hands must both up to heaven, Lamentations 3:41, and God be glorified both with spirits and bodies, which are the Lord’ s, 1 Corinthians 6:20. And bless the Lord] Like so many earthly angels; and as if ye were in heaven already, say,
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 134:2
(2) Lift up your hands (see Note, Psalms 28:2) (in) the sanctuary.—The usual meaning would be to the sanctuary (see reference above), but since the servants of Jehovah are here addressed as standing in the sanctuary, this direction seems unreasonable. Render, therefore, in holiness, and comp. “lifting up holy hands” (1 Timothy 2:8).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 134:2
Verse 2. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary] קדש kodesh, "in holiness:" or, as the SYRIAC, [Syriac] lekoudishe, "to holiness;" in sancta, VULGATE; and ειςταἁγια, SEPTUAGINT; "in holy things; or, as the AETHIOPIC, in the house of the sanctuary." The expression seems very similar to that of St. Paul, 1 Timothy 2:8: "Lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." Bless the Lord.] That is, speak good of his name: tell the wonders he has wrought, and show that his name is exalted.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 134:2
2. Lift up your hands] The gesture of prayer. Cp. Psalms 28:2; 1 Timothy 2:8. in the sanctuary] Rather to the sanctuary, towards the most holy place, as the earthly dwelling-place of Jehovah. The rendering of R.V. marg., in holiness, is less probable.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 134:2
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary - Margin, In holiness. The Hebrew word properly means holiness, but it may be applied to a holy place. See Psalms 20:2.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 134:2
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.
Sermons on Psalms 134:2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
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 |
|
A Call to Endurance, Part I by David Roper | In this sermon, the speaker recounts a terrifying experience where a group of high school students went to the plaza to talk to people. He notices one boy reading a passage from Jo |
|
Be Men by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of fathers taking an active role in teaching the word of God to their children. He references several passages from the Bible, |
|
|
Prayer and Revival - Part 1 by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the preacher shares a powerful testimony of a man from his church who experienced a deep conviction of sin during a revival. The man was overwhelmed by the realizat |
|
|
Canadian Revival by Bill Mcleod by Bill McLeod | This sermon emphasizes the power of prayer and revival, recounting stories of how prayer, repentance, and seeking God's presence led to transformation and revival in churches and i |
|
The Spirit and Practice of Modest Apparel by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of the message conveyed by our clothing. He uses the example of a young man with long hair and casual attire to illustrate ho |
|
The Soul of Modesty by C.J. Mahaney | In this sermon titled "The Soul of Modesty" by C.J. Mahaney, he addresses the issue of how women's clothing choices can distract men from worshiping and serving God. He emphasizes |