Praise!

# 11 2022 Dev. Psalm 134:2. Praise! Read all of Psalm 134 first.  We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think and interact with it. This is God’s story. How will it affect your story?  All passages are taken from the NIV.

Psalm 134:2 “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.”

Intro. Ps. 120-137 is a series of Psalms that include 15 “songs of ascents.” Songs of ascents were sung at the temple by the Priests walking up the 15 steps entering the sanctuary, also sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem for the three feasts required, Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles, as well as during the return from Babylon back to Jerusalem.

Psalm 134 is the last song of ascents in this series. It is a Praise exchange between the worshipers and the Levites who stayed at the temple at night. Levites were assigned to the temple day and night 1Ch.9:33.

V.1 “Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord”.  All of us who follow Jesus are God’s servants, but there are those chosen by God and by their peers to lead in our churches, schools, and church organizations. Those of us not in leadership positions are responsible to encourage them, to pray for them, and support our institutions financially.

V.2 “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.” Those leaders need to take the lead in prayer and in praise, lifting up our hands in prayer and in praise Ps 64:4. In times of joy and in plenty and in times of hardship. We pray for the leaders in Ukraine, and for the people of the churches and for all the people subjected to unprovoked, violence and destruction.  Lord Jesus, put an end to the violence and bring forth peace!  

V.3 The leaders respond to the the encouragement of the worshipers; “May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.” A blessing from Almighty God, the Creator, as all leaders of God’s people must do daily! We extend that blessing to all oppressed people and to all people working hard to help them, Yes! Bless them Lord Jesus and give them peace, in your name, Amen!

© cgvanwyk, all rights reserved