|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Psalm 134 takes us on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
When the Jews traveled from Galilee to Jerusalem, they went south along the Jordan River and then west up to Jerusalem. The Jordan River is the lowest river (in elevation) in the world, and Jerusalem is 2,578 feet above sea level. As the pilgrims climbed, they would sing the 15 Psalms of Ascent that we can read in Psalms 120-134.
Coming through the mountains, then standing on the Mount of Olives, looking across the Kidron Valley, visitors would see Jerusalem. I’ve traveled this route many times. This is a photo I took from the spot where the ancients would first see Jerusalem.
The city has changed today, but still impressive…
Psalm 134 is the shortest of the Psalms of Ascent. I believe it’s abbreviated, as the Jews who sang this song upon first seeing Jerusalem had little need for a lot of words! And a caveat comes with Psalm 134, as it describes travelers arriving at night.
Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord! (Psalm 134:1, ESV)
And what did they find at the temple at night? One commentator says…
The pilgrims heard a temple choir singing the praises of Jehovah, and their ministry would continue all night. Pagan temples were silent at night, because their gods had to rest (1 Kings 18:27), but “He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:3–4).
If you asked a temple worker in the Old Testament, “When does the service end today?” He would answer, “Never!” The temple priests worshipped hour after hour and day after day in ancient Jerusalem, praising God for eternity, which also exists in heaven…
[They will] worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created” (Revelation 4:10-11).
The Lord, always awake and continually praised, brings us blessings even while we sleep. Another Psalm of Ascent teaches, “For He gives to his beloved sleep” (Psalm 127:2). With worship continuing at the temple to an ever-awake God, who gives to His followers while they sleep, why should anxiety keep us awake at night?
Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord! (Psalm 134:2).
After worshipping God in the temple, priests would be stationed at the exits, giving a blessing, one of which we find at the end of Psalm 134. Please, receive this blessing today…
May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who made heaven and earth! (Psalm 134:3).
Amen. Peace out!