Psalms 134:1 (A Song of degrees.) Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.
Psalms 134:1 Word Study on “degrees” - Strong says the Hebrew word “ma’alah” ( מַעֲלָה ) (H4609) literally means, “elevations,” and in book of Psalms it means, “a climatic progression.” Strong says this word is derived from the Hebrew verb “‘alah” ( עָלָה ) (H5927), which means “to ascend.” This noun occurs 45 times in the Old Testament Scriptures and is often translated “steps,” as in 1 Kings 10:19. In 2 Kings 20:9-11 “ma’alah” ( מַעֲלָה ) is translated “degrees,” referring to the ten steps the shadow regressed on the king’s sundial.
Psalms 134:2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.
Psalms 134:2 Comments - The nation of Israel and the New Testament church have always used the lifting up of holy hands as a form of worship (Nehemiah 8:6, Psalms 141:2, 1 Timothy 2:8).
Nehemiah 8:6, “And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands : and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.”
Psalms 141:2, “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.”
1 Timothy 2:8, “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands , without wrath and doubting.”
Psalms 134:3 The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.
Psalms 134:3 Comments - As the last of the Songs of Ascents, sung by the pilgrims who journeyed to Jerusalem for the yearly feasts, this is a fitting benediction and blessing upon those who came to the feasts. God had commanded the priests to speak a blessing upon the children of Israel when sacrifices are brought to the Tabernacle (Numbers 6:23-27). This benediction serves to bless the people in the same way.
Numbers 6:23-27, “Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.”
Copyright Statement These files are copyrighted by the author, Gary Everett. Used by Permission. No distribution beyond personal use without permission.
Bibliographical Information Everett, Gary H. "Commentary on Psalms 134". Everett's Study Notes on the Holy Scriptures. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/ghe/psalms-134.html. 2013.
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Psalms 134:0
Psalms 134:1 (A Song of degrees.) Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.
Psalms 134:1 Word Study on “degrees” - Strong says the Hebrew word “ma’alah” ( מַעֲלָה ) (H4609) literally means, “elevations,” and in book of Psalms it means, “a climatic progression.” Strong says this word is derived from the Hebrew verb “‘alah” ( עָלָה ) (H5927), which means “to ascend.” This noun occurs 45 times in the Old Testament Scriptures and is often translated “steps,” as in 1 Kings 10:19. In 2 Kings 20:9-11 “ma’alah” ( מַעֲלָה ) is translated “degrees,” referring to the ten steps the shadow regressed on the king’s sundial.
Psalms 134:2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.
Psalms 134:2 Comments - The nation of Israel and the New Testament church have always used the lifting up of holy hands as a form of worship (Nehemiah 8:6, Psalms 141:2, 1 Timothy 2:8).
Nehemiah 8:6, “And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands : and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.”
Psalms 141:2, “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.”
1 Timothy 2:8, “I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands , without wrath and doubting.”
Psalms 134:3 The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.
Psalms 134:3 Comments - As the last of the Songs of Ascents, sung by the pilgrims who journeyed to Jerusalem for the yearly feasts, this is a fitting benediction and blessing upon those who came to the feasts. God had commanded the priests to speak a blessing upon the children of Israel when sacrifices are brought to the Tabernacle (Numbers 6:23-27). This benediction serves to bless the people in the same way.
Numbers 6:23-27, “Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.”