Psalm 134 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Psalm 134 Short Summary:

In Psalm 134, the unnamed author speaks to the priests and servants of the Temple who serve God during the night hours. He encourages them to lift their hands in praise to God, and he asks God to bless them from His place on Mount Zion.

Psalm 134 Summary

AUTHOR:

• The authorship of Psalm 134 is unknown.

NEW TESTAMENT REFERENCES:

• No Known New Testament References.

THEMES:

• The service and blessing of those who serve God at night.

DEFINITIONS:

• Songs of Ascent (134:1) - The exact meaning of this term is debated, but many believe it was a label applied to psalms the people of Israel sang as they were travelling to Jerusalem for the holy days. Jerusalem was on the top of a hill, so the people would have physically ascended as they walked up to the Temple.

• Zion (134:3) – In Psalm 134, Zion is used as another name for Jerusalem.

OUTLINE:

• NIGHT BLESSINGS FROM MOUNT ZION (134:1-3):

  • *Psalm 134 is the last of the Psalms of Ascent

  • The psalmist encouraged all the “servants of the Lord” who served God on the night shift to lift up their hands and bless the Lord.

  • He was probably referring to the priests and officers who took care of the Tabernacle/Temple during the night.

  • As they were praising the Lord, the psalmist prayed a blessing over them, asking the God who created the heavens and the earth to bless them from Mount Zion.

APPLICATION:

• How often do we pray for the people who minister to us in spiritual ways?

• It’s easy to underappreciate people who serve us in spiritual things. Sometimes we undervalue them, thinking, “Well its their responsibility” or “It’s their job. That’s what they get paid to do.”

• Spiritual acts of service aren’t as tangible or quantifiable as physical acts of service, so they can be more easily forgotten.

• Think of some people who serve you in spiritual ways, pray for them that they can serve God faithfully, and pray for God’s blessing over them.

• Before you pray, take a moment to think of spiritual workers who serve but don’t get as much recognition as others. The priests who worked the night shift probably didn’t get as much recognition as those who offered the daily sacrifices, but that didn’t mean their work wasn’t important. Who can you think of who serves in spiritual ways on the metaphorical night shift?