Christianity
Psalms 134Bless the LORD by Night
Summary
Psalm 134 is the last and one of the shortest of the Songs of Ascents, just three verses. It calls all the servants of the LORD who stand by night in his house to lift up their hands in the sanctuary and bless the LORD. In reply comes a blessing on the worshipper: may the LORD who made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion. Many read it as a closing exchange between departing pilgrims and the priests or Levites who kept watch in the temple at night.
Key verse
“Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.”
Psalms 134:1
Themes
- Night Worship
- Blessing
- Temple Service
- Exchange of Praise
Text
Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.
The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.
Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.
Across traditions
Christianity
1 Chronicles 9: Levites on Duty Day and Night1 Chronicles 9:33 mentions Levite singers who were employed in their work day and night, the kind of temple service Psalm 134 addresses.
Christianity
Numbers 6: The LORD Bless TheeThe closing line of Psalm 134 resembles the priestly blessing of Numbers 6:24, which also begins The LORD bless thee, and many read the psalm's last verse as a priest's blessing on the pilgrim.
Questions about Psalms 134
Who are the servants who stand by night in Psalm 134?
They are probably priests and Levites keeping the night watch in the temple, as described in 1 Chronicles 9:33. Others read the phrase more broadly of all worshippers who pray at night.
Why is Psalm 134 used at night prayer?
Because it calls on those who serve by night to bless the LORD, Psalm 134 became a traditional psalm of Compline, the last prayer service of the day in Western Christian liturgy.