September 12, 2023 — Psalm 134

“Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, who stand by night in the house of the LORD! Lift up your hands to the holy place, and bless the LORD. May the LORD, maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.”

This is the last psalm of the collection or group called “Songs of Ascents,” and it is written as a doxology. As with many of the Psalms, the author is unknown. The psalm is a summons to praise, and it is probable that it was designed to be sung by alternate choirs – the first two verses representing the people approaching the sanctuary, calling on those including the ministers of religion – to lift up their hands in the sanctuary and to praise the Lord. The second and remaining verses are the response of the priests or the ministers of religion, pronouncing a blessing on the people – a blessing as proceeding out of Zion.

This Psalm actually follows the format of our worship experience — the people come to the house of G-d to offer up prayer, praise and thanksgiving; and they leave having heard the word and having received the sacrament of the table, leaving as people who have been blessed. We should praise G-d continually each and every day, and look for the reasons to do so. There are many reasons why we should be offering prayer, praise and thanksgiving to G-d. Spend time each morning first in thankfulness. Open your heart to the unending love that we all receive through Jesus Christ. Truly, all our requests will come into alignment with G-d’s will when we have done so.

Psalm 134 is a short but precise example of praise and worship, that we see the benefit of reading the Psalms and meditating upon them often. Not only do they form our spiritual life, but they inform our worship life as well.

Let us Pray:

Lord God, where two or three gather in your name, you promise to be with them. Look upon your family gathered in your name, and graciously pour out your blessing upon us; for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

Pastor Dave