Bless God and Bless People
Psalm 134
Rev. Dr. Devadosan Sugirtharaj
Introduction
Psalm 134 is a call to the priests and Levites of the temple to continue offering praise to God and to bless the people. The psalm sets the scene of pilgrims departing Jerusalem in the early morning darkness, calling out to the priests and Levites who stand watch at the temple. In response, the pilgrims receive a blessing spoken back to them.
Bless the Lord (Psalm 134:1).
Here, “bless the Lord” means to honor God with all reverence, not to give Him a blessing as humans do, but to acknowledge His greatness. “Behold” serves as a reminder to be alert in service. The servants of God have a special reason to bless and praise His name: they are privileged to draw near to God, to work for Him, and to be anointed for His service. Their devotion is motivated by love, not compulsion. The priests and Levites had special duties at the temple, especially at night. Whether serving by day or night, they stood in the house of the Lord and praised Him faithfully.
Bless the Lord with appropriate posture (Psalm 134:2).
Lifting up hands in the sanctuary was a common posture for both prayer and praise. This act symbolized gratefully receiving from God and surrendering to Him. As priests and Levites had access to the sanctuary, they praised and prayed with the appropriate posture, reflecting their reverence and devotion.
Proclaim the blessing of God (Psalm 134:3).
The priests and Levites are called to bless the people in the name of God, the Creator of heaven and earth. This blessing extends the regular priestly blessing mentioned in Numbers 6:23-27. The blessing flows from Zion, where the temple was built, and does not remain in Jerusalem alone but extends outward. Here, the blessing is not just for the community but also for individuals.
Conclusion
The servants of the Lord are to lead the people in worship and to bless God through praise and prayer with appropriate postures. Another important responsibility is to bless the people. Do you bless the Lord and also bless others in God’s name? If so, you are fulfilling the calling of a servant of God.