Praising God in the night.

Nightwatch of Praise: A Benediction of Ascent

Bible Passage: Ps 134:1–3

Psalm 134 serves as a closing benediction of the Psalms of Ascent, inviting worshippers to bless the Lord in His temple, especially during the night watch, showcasing the importance of continual worship and praise.

This Psalm is the last of the Psalms of ascent. It was believed by many to be the departing Psalm sung by the Jewish worshippers as their feast times had concluded. This wraps up another milestone in our study of the Psalms. from ps 120 to ps 134, the 15th and final Psalm. Reading the Psalm in its historical setting is helpful.

The Psalm teaches that worship is not limited to specific times or situations but should be a continual practice for believers. It emphasizes the significance of praising God in all circumstances, reinforcing the importance of communal worship and its impact on spiritual growth. We do grow when we worship together.

In the Psalm, the psalmist calls to the servants of the Lord who are serving in the Temple at night to bless the Lord. Even in the New Testament we are encouraged to urge one another to worship the Lord. Worshipping the Lord isn’t just an individual practice, it is also a public declaration to each other, an expression to one another of how great our God is whom we worship.

Ephesians 5:18–20 ESV

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

1. Bless the Lord: Nighttime Worship

Psalm 134:1 ESV

Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord!

The worshipper is calling the servants of the Lord to bless the Lord. The word bless here means to declare with our words, excellent things about God. They were exhorted to sing of Gods greatness. God has everything and has need of nothing, so we cant add to him or bless him with something he doesn’t have.

Night time could have been a time where humanly speaking their strength may have been diminished. So this exhortation to bless the Lord at night would have strengthened them in the resolve.

Nehemiah 8:10 ESV

Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

1 Chronicles 9:33 ESV

Now these, the singers, the heads of fathers’ houses of the Levites, were in the chambers of the temple free from other service, for they were on duty day and night.

Imagine being a levite, your whole responsibility was serving in the temple as a worshipper of God. They were freed from all other duties to do this one thing. They were serving God on behalf of the rest of Gods people. Singing was a huge part of their function, specially in the days of David and beyond. Gods people were a worshipping, singing people. skilled musicians.

2. Lifted Hands: Symbol of Surrender

Psalm 134:2 ESV

Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord!

Lifting hands during prayer signifies not just physical action but an elevation of the heart towards God. This act is symbolic of surrender, unity, and a deep desire for divine connection. Encouraging this practice can remind believers of our collective responsibility in continual worship, fostering communal spiritual growth and intimacy with God, even amidst personal trials.

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Deuteronomy 6:4–5 NIV

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Not just in singing but using our bodies in acts of service is a form of worship to God.

Colossians 3:17 ESV

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

3. Receive the Blessing: Favor from Zion

Psalm 134:3 ESV

May the Lord bless you from Zion, he who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 134:3 ESV

The psalm concludes with an invocation of God's blessing from Zion. This closure highlights the reciprocal nature of worship: as we praise and bless the Lord, He generously bestows His favor upon us.

ZION is Jerusalem. The place chosen by God for worship. It will be the future place where he returns and sets up his kingdom here on earth. In the future there will be a new Jerusalem.

Matthew 23:37–39 ESV

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”