Studies in Psalms – Psa 134:1-3 “Bless the LORD”
Psa 134 “Bless the LORD”
Psa 134:1 A Song of degrees. Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.
Psa 134:2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.
Psa 134:3 The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.
In this study we will look at how and why we “bless the LORD” and how this blessing stems from our being the first to trust God (Eph 1:12-14) as we hear the gospel preached “beginning at Jerusalem “(Gal 4:26, Eph 2:6, Luk 24:47).
Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Gal 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is freeG1658, which is the mother of us all. [2Co 3:17, Gal 5:13 (G1657), Rom 8:13].
Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto libertyG1657; only use not libertyG1657 for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.“free”G1658 eleutheros el-yoo’-ther-os
Probably from the alternate of G2064; unrestrained (to go at pleasure), that is, (as a citizen) not a slave (whether freeborn or manumitted), or (generally) exempt (from obligation or liability): – free (man, woman), at liberty.
“liberty”G1657 eleutheria el-yoo-ther-ee’-ah
From G1658; freedom (legitimate or licentious, chiefly moral or ceremonial): – liberty.Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Luk 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
That “beginning” (Luk 24:47) is just that; a beginning which is preceded by witness (Luk 24:48) and continues to grow and strengthen as we “tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem” (Joh 8:31); and we do pray this prayer for each other: (Php 1:9-10).
Luk 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Rev 11:3)
Luk 24:48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
Luk 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continueG3306 in my word, then are ye my disciples indee
Php 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound [“but by love serve one another” of Gal 5:13] yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
Php 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;continueG330 menō men’-o
A primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy): – abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), X thine own.
Abiding and continuing or not forsaking the assembling of the saints as we tarry in Jerusalem above and come together, are all saying the same thing as we come together “so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” so we can be nourished by each joint that supplies from a spirit of sincerity and truth (1Co 5:8); and having done all we will stand and overcome the wicked one with the love of God being shed abroad in our hearts (Heb 10:25-27, Joh 4:23, Eph 6:13, Eph 4:15, Rom 5:5, Eph 6:24).
1Co 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully [“with old leaven” or with the “leaven of malice and wickedness“] after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, [Heb 12:15]
Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up [“with old leaven” or with the “leaven of malice and wickedness“] trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: [sincerity and truth] for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. [Stand against the sin that lies at the door and wants to rule over us “the old leaven” and the “leaven of malice and wickedness” (Gen 4:7)].
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us [from Jerusalem above (Jas 1:17)].
Eph 6:24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Our praise and worship of God becomes more heartfelt, sincere, and earnest as a result of the judgment He is putting us through in this life (Luk 22:44) as we tarry in Jerusalem where we bless the Lord for those wonderful works which make it possible for us to worship him in spirit and in truth (Psa 107:31), simply because He has sought us out for that purpose, and has dragged us to His son so that we can abide in His purifying Word that we are blessed to read, hear and keep through this life (Joh 6:44, Joh 4:23, Rev 1:3).
Luk 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Psa 107:31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Joh 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
We contribute nothing to our own salvation and come to acknowledge that our ability to overcome is a complete gift from God, given through Christ, who can use evil for good, and causes the light and the darkness within us to accomplish what has been ordained to happen from the foundation of the world (Isa 45:7, Eph 1:4), revealing His sovereign hand that is working all things according to the counsel of His own will (Eph 1:11), as He forms that sincere relationship in us by teaching us to forsake ungodliness and worldly lusts in this age (Tit 2:12-15). We in turn reveal the Son, as Christ revealed the Father, through that sincerity that is being formed with the comforter within us (Mat 11:27, Joh 14:8-21)
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Tit 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Tit 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Mat 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
Joh 14:8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. [Philip was asking “reveal” the Father.]
Joh 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
Joh 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. [Tit 1:16]
Joh 14:11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. [Joh 6:28-29]
Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
Joh 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [Col 1:27, 1Jn 4:17, Act 22:7-8]
Joh 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. [Php 2:13]
Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. [Act 5:32]
Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. [Rom 8:9]
Joh 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Joh 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
Joh 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Having done all, we can “stand in the house of the LORD” and lift up “holy hands” (1Ti 2:8, Heb 4:15-16) that “bless the LORD” that made heaven and earth, who blesses us “out of Zion”, out of the fervent prayers and love and concern that we have for each other who are Zion (Php 1:9-10, Oba 1:21)
1Ti 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Php 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
Php 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
Oba 1:21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.
Psa 134:1 A Song of degrees. Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.
“Night”H3915 is elsewhere translated by Strong as “midnight” and “to night” (as well as “night season/s”), reminding us of the vigilance we need to have in this “house of the Lord” not to be shut out as the five foolish virgins without oil in (Mat 25:6-10).
Mat 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
In Luke 7:44 Christ reminds his disciples who were not yet converted how lacking in attentiveness to the cares of Christ they were.
Luk 7:44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.
The woman who ministered to Christ represents the correct gathering of the body of Christ (the five wise virgins of Mat 25 with oil), where we anoint each other’s feet and wash each other with the word and prepare each other to die daily as we endure through the trials of this life together (Luk 7:45-48). Christ simply said she did this “for my burial” (Mat 26:12), and we know we are buried with Christ into his death (Rom 6:3), and that we will need that oil (oil which comes from the crushing in each of our lives) on our feet which symbolizes our ministering to each other’s needs as Christ’s disciples through the loving actions we pray we can continually bring to one another so we can be comforted in this life that requires so much patience (Heb 10:36).
Luk 7:45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
Luk 7:46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.
Luk 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
Luk 7:48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
Mat 26:12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Our flesh cannot be put off unless we are judged, and then we will be blessed to trust him (2Co 1:9, Psa 2:12).
2Co 1:9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
Psa 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
We “bless the Lord” when we lay down our life for one another, so we ask the Lord to deepen His love within us and help us see how all our trials and suffering, and the comfort that He brings us through each other, are all working together according to the counsel of His will (Eph 1:11) for the edifying of the body in love (Eph 4:16), and will work together for good because it is Christ who is working this work of love and who tells us that all those things we are going through together will “work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28).
It is “all ye servants of the LORD, which by night[who] stand in the house of the LORD” and bless “the LORD“, because it is in the night, typified by the shadow of the valley of death, our darkened flesh, that we bless each other (1Jn 4:7-11). After we have done all, we are able to “stand in the house of the LORD” (Eph 6:10-24) as we minister to each other’s needs and are mindful of what each other is going through as we are moved and inspired to fulfill those needs as the Lord leads (Rom 8:14). That is how we “bless the Lord“.
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Eph 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Eph 6:20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Eph 6:21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
Eph 6:22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
Eph 6:23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Eph 6:24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. To the Ephesians written from Rome, by Tychicus.
That whole suit of armor is what is needed to “stand against the wiles of the devil” and to be strong in the Lord, and ultimately to fulfill verse 24 that says “Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen”, reminding us that love has a foundation which is established through obedience that God teaches us through the things we suffer so we can learn to confidently wear that whole suit of armor together as the body of Christ. Our confidence is in Christ in each other, and we don’t want to cast that confidence away because there is great ‘recompence of reward’ being given to this little flock. God has ordained and called us unto this blessing so that we can “bless the Lord” in each other (Heb 5:8-9, 1Jn 4:17, Heb 10:35-36, Luk 12:32, 1Pe 3:9).
1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1Jn 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
1Jn 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. [Joh 14:19]
1Jn 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1Jn 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. [We are sent to each other as Christ was sent to us to bring healing through his words Psa 107:20].
Heb 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
Heb 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
1Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
Heb 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
Heb 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
1Pe 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
Psa 134:2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.
When we “bless the LORD“, we “lift up [our] hands in the sanctuary“, a safe place where we know the gates of hell will not prevail against us (Mat 16:18) and where the “peaceable fruit of righteousness” is being matured in the lives of those who are being received of God (Heb 12:6-8, Heb 12:12) through our trials and through our much tribulation in this life (Act 14:22).
Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening,[Php 4:13] God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
Heb 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Heb 12:12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
[Right on the heels of Christ telling us we are received through chastening of verse 8, we see the words “lift up the hands” and “the feeble knees” in verse 12 to encourage us that the Lord knows our frame and all we must go through in this life, and that in time we will “praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men” through Christ. That is another way we “bless the Lord” (Psa 107:29-31)].
Psa 134:3 The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.
This last verse of our study gives us confirmation that it is in our heavens, where our treasure in earthen vessels is laid up, that the Lord blesses us through each other who are “Zion” to meet the Lord in the air (Eph 2:6-7, Oba 1:21, 1Th 4:16-17).
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Oba 1:21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
It is the “The LORD that made heaven and earth“, or the light and the darkness, the good and the evil of Isaiah 45:7, who blesses us “out of Zion“, and as we saw in tonight’s study, those blessings come about as a result of the trials and tribulations which make it possible for the patience and faith of the saints to be created (Rev 14:1-14).
Rev 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. [Eze 3:9, Mal 3:17]
Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Isa 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
Isa 45:8 Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open [Jer 22:29], and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.
It is in that creation process we learn of the workmanship of His hands, which we are, and “bless the Lord” and praise Him for this wonderful work we know and believe is not just for our sakes but also so “that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:7) toward all of humanity (1Co 15:52, 1Jn 2:2, 1Ti 4:10)
God has called us unto a blessing, and we will realize that blessing through the struggles and trials He has ordained for our growth. We “bless the Lord” now in each other while it is called today, and pray for that patience and faith of the saints we all need so that we are found patiently waiting for our Lord when He returns and not striving “with his Maker” (Isa 45:9, Rom 9:20-21, Luk 12:43-44, Mat 25:1-2).
Isa 45:9 Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?
Rom 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
Rom 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
Luk 12:43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Luk 12:44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven (Luk 17:21, Mat 7:21, Mat 13:11) be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Mat 25:10 And while they [the five foolish virgins] went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Luk 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.