Psalms 134: Praise the Maker who blesses
Begin in prayer
Before the night servants lift their hands in praise, let us bring God the service we have done without gratitude. Ask Him to lead us to Jesus and turn our work into thankful worship.
even Yahweh, the God of Armies; Yahweh is his name of renown!
Hosea 12:5
Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the Lord who made heaven and earth deserves our praise and gives blessing. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.
See where we're going
The Lord's servants are called to praise Him while standing by night in His house. They are told to lift their hands in the sanctuary. The call to praise is repeated. Then a blessing is sought from Zion, from the Lord who made heaven and earth.
As you read Psalms 134, look for the answers:
- What should the servants lift in the sanctuary? (verse 2)
- Who made heaven and earth? (verse 3)
Reflect together
Key truth
The LORD who made heaven and earth deserves His servants' praise and is sought for blessing from Zion.
Night finds the Lord's servants standing in His house, where praise remains their fitting work. Lifting their hands brings their bodies into the worship their voices are called to offer. Repeating the command keeps the Lord Himself before them as the One to honour. The final wish turns from calling for praise to asking His blessing from Zion. The One sought for blessing is the Maker of heaven and earth. His servants therefore praise the Creator whose power reaches beyond the sanctuary into the whole world He made.
How does Psalm 134 show us that the LORD who made heaven and earth deserves His servants' praise and is sought for blessing from Zion?
The LORD deserves the praise of His servants through the night.
The servants stand in God's house by night. They are called to lift their hands and praise the Lord. Their place and time of service become an occasion to honour Him.
The Maker of heaven and earth is sought for blessing.
The final words ask the Lord to bless from Zion. They name Him as the Maker of heaven and earth. His greatness gives the prayer confidence in the One whose blessing it seeks.
Memorise
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary. Praise Yahweh!
Psalm 134:2
Looking to Jesus in my life
Ask yourself in your heart, what part of my ordinary service needs to become praise to the Lord Jesus?
The call says, “Lift up your hands in the sanctuary. Praise Yahweh!” Night service becomes worship before the Maker. The closing wish seeks blessing from His own hand.
Our neglect of praise and our sinful hearts leave us guilty before the God who made us. Jesus offered His life for His people, accepting their condemnation to bring thankless sinners near to His Father with forgiven hearts. He rose to life. His completed sacrifice has paid their whole debt and secured the forgiveness they need to serve with accepted praise.
Turn from thankless disobedience and put your trust in Jesus. Everyone who comes to Him is forgiven. Ask Him to make your service thankful, including the work few people see. The LORD who made heaven and earth blesses His servants from Zion, so they praise Him even in the night.
Parent's note
Tell your children that the Lord who made heaven and earth deserves our praise and gives blessing. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.
Pray together
Now please close your time together in prayer. Praise the Maker of heaven and earth and ask for His blessing on thankful service. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.
He will glorify me, for he will take from what is mine, and will declare it to you.
John 16:14
Maker of heaven and earth, please forgive our thankless service and lead us to Jesus for the pardon His sacrifice has secured. Give our children hearts ready to praise You. Strengthen those serving through the night and those whose work is hidden from others. Bless Your people and receive our thankful worship through Your living Son. Amen.