Psalms 134

Psalms 134:1-3

Unity Is of God Psalms 133:1-3; Psalms 134:1-3 The word Behold suggests that some special manifestation of unity was taking place under the psalmist’ s eyes, perhaps in connection with some great religious festival; or David may have composed it to celebrate the healing of the breach after the death of Ishbosheth. We must not only be one in God’ s purpose, but must be willing to dwell together, that is, to manifest our unity in outward action. For the precious oil see Exodus 30:20-38 and 1 John 2:27. Our Lord was anointed with the Holy Spirit, and we may share in His Pentecost, Luke 3:21-22; Acts 2:33. Psalms 134:1-3. The last of the “ Songs of Degrees.” It may have been addressed to the priests who came on duty after the offering of the evening sacrifice. There was evidently a band of choristers and others who were on duty while Jerusalem slept. The psalm ends with the reciprocal blessing of the watchers on the retreating crowds; commending them, during the hours of darkness, to the care of the Lord of heaven and earth.

Lift up your hands! This is the last of the pilgrim-Psalms. It is supposed to be addressed to the priests of the sanctuary–who were prepared to offer the evening sacrifice–by some pilgrim-bands which had just arrived from their distant journey and had presented themselves in the temple. We gather from1 Chron. 9:33 that the temple was provided with a night-watch of choristers, who kept up the worship of God through the silent hours. And surely God has still such a relay of servants, who come on duty and serve Him through the long dark hours of night. The sufferer from whose eyes sleep has departed; the watcher by the sick bed; the nurse–all these maintain God’s blessed worship, when many of his active workers are recruiting from their toils.

Psalms 134:1. Behold! Evidently the matter is pressing and arises from the immediate circumstances of the moment. How eager are pious souls that God should be loved and adored! Night is no reason for hushing praise. God’s song-birds will sing even in curtained cages. It is in the dark that the nightingale fills the woods with torrents of liquid music.

Psalms 134:2. Lift up your hands! The lifted hand is the gesture of prayer (Psalms 28:2; Psalms 63:4). It is not unimportant to study the appropriate expression of prayer, as well as its matter.

Psalms 134:3. The Lord bless thee out of Zion! This is the answer of the priests as they meet the assembled pilgrims and return their salutations. We can never send up to God our adoration, but that it comes back to us again, as moisture drawn by sunshine from the earth returns to it again in showers.