scripture

PSALM 134^*

Exhortation to the Night Watch to Bless God

1A song of ascents.

O come, bless the LORD,

all you servants of the LORD^*

You who stand in the house of the LORD

throughout the nights.^a

2Lift up your hands toward the sanctuary,^b

and bless the LORD.

3May the LORD bless you from Zion,

the Maker of heaven and earth.^c

* [Psalm 134] A brief liturgy exhorting all those who serve in the Jerusalem Temple during the night (cf. Is 30:29) to praise God with words and gestures. Although he is the Creator of the whole universe, God’s blessings emanate in a unique way from Zion, the city of Jerusalem.

* [134:1] Servants of the LORD: priests and Levites, cf. Dt 10:8; Ps 113:1; 135:1; Dn 3:85.

a. [134:1] Ps 135:1–2; 1 Chr 9:33.

b. [134:2] Ps 28:2; 141:2.

c. [134:3] Ps 20:3; 128:5; Nm 6:24.