In the beginning of this small series, we pictured the fifteen Songs of Degrees (or Songs of Ascents: Psalms 120 - 134) used, as a special hymnbook, for a large processional at some of the main feasts of Israel. People would gather outside of Jerusalem and face the hills of Jerusalem "from whence cometh my help" (Psalm 121:1). Psalm 120 is a cry for Peace. The world has offered only war and strife, but Jerusalem is the "City of Peace." The temple is the place where they are heading - God's footstool, where He meets with His people, where the blood is sacrificed and accepted. Sins are forgiven. There is peace with God. We now come to the last of the Songs of Degrees. The worshippers have drawn closer and closer with each song. This last Psalm now finds the people at the temple. Choirs are singing. It's time to join them and bless the LORD!
Perpetual Praise - Psalm 134:1
We start with a call to praise, worship, and honor the LORD (Jehovah). David had established singers to be in the temple, providing songs of worship day and night (I Chronicles 9:33 cp. Psalm 92:1-2). So, there was continual, unending worship being offered to the LORD. There was continual, unending opportunity for people to come and join in the worship of the LORD. Everything that God has created - from stars, sky, and planet to plants, animals, people, and angels - should be praising the LORD (Psalm 19:1-14; 103:1,19-22; 145:1-21; 148:1-14; 150:1-6). Sinful man is out of harmony with the universe. It only through redemption that is by Jesus Christ that we can be restored to harmony and begin to love, cherish and worship our creator (Psalm 130:1-8; Romans 5:6-11; Ephesians 1:3-12; I Peter 2:9-10). May God arouse our senses to be able to bless and thank God day and night (Psalm 34:1-3; 119:62,164).
In another sense, we can see the need to worship God in the night seasons of our life. When things look dark, when we can not see / understand all that is happening around us, then it is time to worship the LORD and bless Him (Job 35:10; 42:8; 77:6; Isaiah 30:29; Psalm 34:4-8 cp. Acts 16:22-25 - see the example of Jesus: Matthew 26:20-22,30).
Particular Praise - Psalm 134:2
There is no vagueness here. They are not worshipping the sun, moon, or stars. They are not worshipping images made of wood or stone. They are not worshipping a man. They are worshipping the one and only true God, who made heaven and earth (Psalm 134:3; 115:1-9). They are in His holy place, where God has ordained worship. They are lifting up their hands to show submission to Him - to reach up to Him for all their needs. God's worshippers look to Him alone and no other (Psalm 18:1-3,30-33; 71:19; 72:18; 77:12-13; 89:7-8; 100:1-5; 113:1-5; 144:15; 146:1-10 cp. John 4:19-24; I Timothy 2:8; Ephesians 2:18-22).
Passing on the Blessing - Psalm 134:3
- Blessing the LORD is to be a perpetual thing.
- Blessing the Lord is a particular (specific and focused) thing.
- Blessing the Lord is to be a contagious thing.
God inhabits / is enthroned by the praises of Israel (Psalm 22:3). We lift Him up for others to see and behold (John 18:37; I Timothy 3:15). The blessed God is also the blessing God! The eternal God gives us eternal blessings. Our creator will supply all our earthly and heavenly needs by Jesus Christ (Romans 8:32 [Romans 8:28-39]; Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 4:19; II Peter 1:1-4). As we bless the LORD publicly, we are to bless each other - to show good will and to desire God's blessings on the rest of the family of God. This would be showing harmony with God's mind and heart towards His children. We also should offer God's blessings to others, who are not yet believers. By sharing the Gospel, we extend to others the opportunity to be blessed by God and join us in blessing God (John 1:12; Psalm 34:3,8,11; Revelation 22:17.
Has God blessed us from Zion? (Psalm 134:3) Consider the world-vision that God revealed to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3). God blessed Abraham's seed so that they could be a blessing to the world. From Israel we received the Scriptures of our salvation (II Timothy 3:15-17; I Peter 1:23-25). From Israel we received our Savior, the Messiah / Christ! See John 4:22; Romans 9:4-5 cp. 11:25-36. |
