Psalm 134
The ministers of the sanctuary are exhorted to bless the
Lord. In response blessings are invoked on the speaker.
1-2. "Behold, bless the Lord, all you 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."
Public worship is a perpetual ordinance. From age to age
God's faithful servants will frequent His house and join in common prayer
and praise. It will be their delight meekly to listen to the proclamation of
His truth. Those who lead in the outward form should precede, also, in
inward grace. Those who conduct the hymns of praise should be foremost in
offering heartfelt thanksgivings. In the early Church the lighted sanctuary
was not a silent place during the hours of night. We have a sweet emblem
here of the white-robed congregation, from whose lips unceasing hallelujahs
sound. May we soon join the hallowed service!
3. "The Lord, who made heaven and earth, bless you out
of Zion."
The ministers of the sanctuary are supposed to give
response. The grateful reply is, May He, whom we are thus exhorted to bless,
pour blessings upon you. How vast must be the blessings which descend from
Him who is the omnipotent Creator of the universe! Infinity is the measure
of His goodness. All mercies surely come in accordance with His heavenly
decree. But it is from Zion that His blessings go forth. Zion typifies the
Church of which the blessed Jesus is the High Priest. In Him God blesses His
people with all blessings in heavenly places. He who spared not His own Son,
but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give
us all things? Heavenly Father, we bless You for Jesus; evermore bless us in
Him!