Psalms — Chapter 134

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1Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.

2Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.

3The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.

1Behold, bless ye Jehovah, all ye servants of Jehovah, That by night stand in the house of Jehovah.

2Lift up your hands to the sanctuary, And bless ye Jehovah.

3Jehovah bless thee out of Zion; Even he that made heaven and earth. Psalm 135

1A song of ascents. Attention! Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who serve in the Lord’s temple during the night.

2Lift your hands toward the sanctuary and praise the Lord.

3May the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.

1Look! Praise Yahweh, all you servants of Yahweh, who stand by night in Yahweh’s house!

2Lift up your hands in the sanctuary. Praise Yahweh!

3May Yahweh bless you from Zion; even he who made heaven and earth.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

A Song of Ascents — the final Song of Ascents: a call to the night-watch servants in the temple to bless the LORD, and a benediction: 'The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.'

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Song of Ascents / Hymn of Praise Attributed Author: Anonymous (superscription: "A Song of degrees") Key Themes: Night worship, blessing the LORD, lifting hands in the sanctuary, priestly blessing, the Creator who blesses
Historical Context: Psalm 134 is the final Song of Ascents (15th of 15) — a brief evening benediction of 3 verses. The collection that began in distress and exile (Psalm 120) concludes at the temple at night, with worshipers calling priests/Levites to bless the LORD during the night watch, and receiving blessing in return. The pattern: worshipers bless God (vv.1-2), then God blesses worshipers (v.3). It is a fitting conclusion to the pilgrim journey — arrival at the temple, nighttime worship, mutual blessing between God and His people. The journey is complete.
Structure:
  • Call to the Night-Servants to Bless God (vv.1-2)
  • God's Blessing in Return (v.3)

Map & Geography

  • Zion (v.3): The hill on which Jerusalem/the Temple stood; often used poetically for God's dwelling.

Videos

The Bible Project — Psalms Overview

Reflection

  • 1. Worship in the night (v.1). Night seasons — both literal and spiritual — are times for worship, not just waiting. Bless God in the darkness.
  • 2. Bless God; God blesses you (vv.1-3). The exchange of blessing: you bless Him with praise, He blesses you from Zion. Worship is not one-directional.
  • 3. The pilgrim journey is complete. From the distress of Psalm 120 to the night-rest of Psalm 134, the worshiper has arrived. The Songs of Ascents end in the temple, in worship, in blessing. Journey over. Home.