Psalm 134:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 134:1-3

This psalm instructs us concerning a two-fold blessing:? I. Our blessing God, that is, speaking well of him, which here we are taught to do, Ps. 134:1, 2. 1. It is a call to the Levites to do it. They were the servants of the Lord by office, appointed to minister in holy things; they attended the sanctuary, and kept the charge of the house of the Lord, Num. 3:6-10 Some of them did by night stand in the house of the Lord, to guard the holy things of the temple, that they might not be profaned,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 134:2

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary ,.... Which Aben Ezra interprets of the priests lifting up their hands to bless the people; but Kimchi, better, of lifting up of the hands to God in prayer; see Psalm 141:2 ; which should be done "with holiness", as the Targum renders it, in a holy manner; and is the same with lifting up holy hands, 1 Timothy 2:8 ; or towards the holy place; the oracle in the holy of holies, and the ark of the covenant, typical of Christ; see 1 Kings 8:29 , Psalm... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 134:2

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary - קדש kodesh , "in holiness:" or, as the Syriac, lekoudishe , "to holiness;" in sancta, Vulgate; and εις τα ἁγια , Septuagint; "in holy things; or, as the Aethiopic, in the house of the sanctuary." The expression seems very similar to that of St. Paul, 1 Timothy 2:8 ; : "Lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." Bless the Lord - That is, speak good of his name: tell the wonders he has wrought, and show that his name is exalted. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 134:1-3

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 134:1-3

God and man; reciprocal relations. "It must needs be a matter of conjecture who the speakers are" in this short psalm; but these three verses bring before us the reciprocal relations existing between our God and ourselves, particularly as those engaged in his worship. "Bless ye the Lord … the Lord bless thee." I. IN APPROACH AND NEARNESS OF SPIRIT . We draw nigh unto him, and he draws nigh unto us ( 2 Chronicles 15:2 ; James 4:8 ). We come up to his house to "seek his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 134:1-3

The songs of degrees' doxology. This series of psalms ends, as all service of worship should, with the voice of praise and thanksgiving. It is ill if our prayers and varied waiting upon God do not bring us into the spirit which would bless the Lord, and bid all others do the same. That spirit is present in this psalm. Note— I. THE EXHORTATION HERE GIVEN . "Behold, bless ye the Lord." Now, this psalm, being placed here at the end of the series, bids us look back and trace, in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 134:2

Lift up your hands. The attitude of prayer and praise ( Psalms 63:4 ; Psalms 119:48 ; Psalms 141:2 ). In the sanctuary ; rather, towards the sanctuary ; i . e . towards the holy of holies. Others render, "in holiness." And bless the Lord (compare the first clause of Psalms 134:1 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 134:2

Holy hands. (For the high-priestly benediction, see Numb, 6:24.) Raising suppliant hands is the formal, bodily sign of earnest prayer. Every mental or moral state has its corresponding natural bodily attitude or movement; and raising and stretching forth the opened hands in a receptive attitude is the natural bodily attitude accompanying petition. There is an important alteration in this sentence. It should be, "Lift up your hands to the sanctuary;" and the figure is of the priests turning... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 134:2

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary - Margin, In holiness. The Hebrew word properly means holiness, but it may be applied to a holy place. See Psalms 20:2. The lifting up of the hands is properly expressive of prayer, but the phrase may be used to denote praise or worship in general.And bless the Lord - In the night-watches - while all around is still, - let there be one place where the voice of praise shall ascend on high. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 134:1-2

Psalms 134:1-2. Behold, bless ye the Lord, &c. Attend to your duty, O ye ministers of the Lord; who not only by day, but by night also, reverently wait upon him in his house, 1 Chronicles 9:33. Employ your hearts and tongues in his praises, and cease not to declare how great and good he is. Lift up your hands, &c. Unto God, in prayer and praise; in the sanctuary In that holy house of God where you stand; or, in holiness, as the margin reads it, and as is prescribed 1 Timothy... read more

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