Psalm 134:1 kjv
Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.
Psalm 134:1 nkjv
A Song of Ascents. Behold, bless the LORD, All you servants of the LORD, Who by night stand in the house of the LORD!
Psalm 134:1 niv
A song of ascents. Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD.
Psalm 134:1 esv
Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, who stand by night in the house of the LORD!
Psalm 134:1 nlt
Oh, praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD,
you who serve at night in the house of the LORD.
Psalm 134 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Pss 103:1 | Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! | Direct call to bless God's name |
| Neh 9:5 | Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting. | Command to bless the Eternal God |
| 1 Chr 23:28 | For their duty was to assist the sons of Aaron in the service… | Levites aiding temple duties |
| 1 Chr 9:33 | Also for the singers, the heads of fathers’ households of the Levites, who were in the chambers of the temple free from other service; for they were engaged in the work day and night. | Temple musicians' perpetual service |
| Lev 6:9-13 | ...the priest shall keep the fire on the altar burning on it; it shall not go out... perpetual fire... | Priestly duty of continuous watch (fire) |
| Ex 27:20-21 | ...bring you clear oil of beaten olives for the light, to make a lamp burn continually... | Perpetual lamp in the Tabernacle/Temple |
| 1 Ki 8:11 | ...the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD. | God's presence in the Temple |
| Is 56:7 | ...my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. | God's Temple as a place of prayer/worship |
| Lk 2:37 | ...she did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. | Anna's perpetual service in the Temple |
| Rev 7:15 | ...they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. | Heavenly perpetual service |
| Rev 22:3 | ...and His servants will serve Him; | Future service of God's people |
| Pss 34:1 | I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. | Commitment to ceaseless praise |
| Pss 119:62 | At midnight I rise to give thanks to you for your righteous rules. | Midnight prayer and devotion |
| Pss 150:6 | Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! | Universal call to praise |
| Col 3:23-24 | Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men... | Serving the Lord in all actions |
| 1 Cor 3:16 | Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? | Believers as God's spiritual temple |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | ...you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house... | Believers forming a spiritual house |
| Rom 12:1 | ...present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. | Life as continuous worship |
| Heb 13:15 | Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God... | Continuous praise as spiritual sacrifice |
| 1 Thes 5:17 | Pray without ceasing... | Exhortation to continuous prayer |
| Eph 6:18 | ...praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. | Continuous prayer and supplication |
| Jer 33:20 | Thus says the LORD: If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night... | God's faithfulness in day and night |
Psalm 134 verses
Psalm 134 1 Meaning
Psalm 134:1 serves as a call to worship and an exhortation, specifically directed at the Levites and priests performing their duties within the Temple during the night hours. It is an invitation to these dedicated servants to praise and magnify the name of the LORD. The verse underscores the importance of continuous, devoted service and acknowledges the special privilege of ministering in God's presence. It is part of the "Songs of Ascents," and though the shortest psalm, it carries profound significance for unending praise to the sovereign Creator.
Psalm 134 1 Context
Psalm 134 is the final of the fifteen "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), traditionally sung by pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem for annual festivals. These psalms often reflect themes of journey, reliance on God, and joy in God's presence at His holy city. This specific psalm uniquely serves as a benediction or blessing. It is generally understood as an exchange between the pilgrims, who have just concluded their pilgrimage, and the temple servants. The pilgrims are perhaps departing, while the priests and Levites remain to carry out their duties within the "house of the LORD," even during the night watches. Thus, the verse encourages those whose dedicated service continues perpetually within the Temple.
Psalm 134 1 Word analysis
Behold (הִנֵּה - hinnēh): This is an emphatic interjection, a summons to attention. It draws the reader or listener into the moment, highlighting the urgency and significance of the upcoming command. It signals an important declaration, much like saying, "Listen!" or "Look!"
bless (בָּרְכוּ - bārekū): An imperative plural verb. While God blesses humanity with favor and gifts, humans "bless" God by praising Him, giving Him thanks, revering His name, and acknowledging His sovereignty and goodness. It's an act of worship and adoration, a recognition of His ultimate worthiness.
the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH, transliterated as Yahweh or Jehovah): This is the incommunicable, personal, covenant name of God revealed to Israel. It signifies God's self-existence, His eternal nature, and His unwavering faithfulness to His promises. The repetition of this name throughout the verse emphasizes the unique and sovereign recipient of the praise.
all you servants (כָּל־עַבְדֵי - kol-‘avde):
- all (kol): Implies universality within the specified group. No one is exempt from this call to worship.
- servants (‘avdei, from
עֶבֶד- ‘eved): In this context, it refers to those consecrated to God's service, particularly the priests and Levites responsible for the ongoing operations of the Temple. It denotes devoted and willing service, not bondage. They are set apart for sacred duties.
of the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): Reaffirms that these servants belong to YHWH and are engaged in His work, distinguishing them from servants of other gods. Their identity and purpose are defined by their relationship with Him.
who stand (הָעֹמְדִים - hā‘omediym): Literally "the ones standing." This posture signifies readiness, vigilance, and presence for service. It's often used in the context of priestly or Levitical duties, indicating their active, prepared state before God, ministering or guarding the sanctuary.
by night (בַּלֵּילוֹת - ba’lēlôt): Indicates their constant, unceasing service. While most rest, these servants are actively on duty, performing watch or worship, emphasizing their dedication extends beyond daylight hours. This hints at the perpetual nature of Temple service, such as tending the altar fire or the menorah.
in the house (בְּבֵית - be’véyt): "In the house of" refers explicitly to the Jerusalem Temple, the sacred dwelling place associated with God's manifest presence among His people. It is the center of Israel's worship and a place of unique holiness.
of the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): A final emphatic repetition of God's covenant name, underscoring His ownership of the Temple and the sacred nature of all activities performed within it.
Psalm 134 1 Bonus section
- Liturgical Function: This Psalm often functions as an evening benediction, marking the conclusion of a pilgrimage or a day of temple service. It creates a powerful sense of ongoing sacred duty.
- Theological Parallel of Night Service: The concept of standing guard "by night" echoes earlier Old Testament mandates, such as the commandment for the altar fire never to go out (Lev 6:13) and the perpetual lamp in the Tabernacle (Ex 27:20-21). This symbolizes that God's presence and requirements for worship are constant and do not cease with the day.
- A Call for All Believers: While originally addressed to the Temple servants, the essence of this command extends to all believers in the New Covenant. As 1 Peter 2:5 states, believers are now "a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood," called to offer "spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." We are called to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thes 5:17) and offer a "sacrifice of praise to God continually" (Heb 13:15). Every Christian is a servant of the LORD, summoned to a life of worship and readiness.
Psalm 134 1 Commentary
Psalm 134:1 is a stirring invitation for the priestly and Levitical ministers, who were dedicated to God’s sanctuary, to continually bless the LORD, even through the quiet, unseen watches of the night. It captures the essence of unending worship, regardless of human activity or the hour. As the Songs of Ascents reach their climax, this verse highlights the privilege and duty of those set apart for God's constant service. It’s a call to elevate praise above all else, acknowledging God’s sovereignty over every moment. The presence "by night in the house of the LORD" emphasizes an enduring commitment and a spiritual vigilance that transcends the ebb and flow of daily life, presenting a beautiful picture of ceaseless adoration due to the Divine.