Psalms 134:1

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 134:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Behold, bless ye Jehovah, all ye servants of Jehovah, That by night stand in the house of Jehovah.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Behold, bless ye Jehovah, all ye servants of Jehovah, That by night stand in the house of Jehovah.
Psalms 134:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 134

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Behold, bless ye Jehovah, all ye servants of Jehovah, That by night stand in the house of Jehovah.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Behold, bless ye the Lord, all [ye] servants of the Lord, etc.] All men are of right the servants of God being his creatures; and are under obligation, through his providential goodness, to bless and praise him; though they are not all in fact so: but all good men are, being made so by the power of divine grace; which frees them from the servitude of sin, Satan, and the world, and makes them willing to serve the Lord; as they do in righteousness and holiness, with reverence and godly fear, heartily and willingly, and with great pleasure; and yet have no dependence on any service they perform: and as these are under the highest obligations to bless the Lord; the is, to ascribe greatness to…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The theme is the same as that of Psalm 135. God should be praised for His works of creation and providence, His deliverance and care of His people, and judgments on their enemies, and His goodness to all. The chorus to every verse is in terms of that of Psa 106:1; Psa 118:1-4, and was perhaps used as the Amen by the people, in worship (compare Ch1 16:36; Psa 105:45). (Psa. 136:1-26) The divine titles denote supremacy.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Behold - As if calling attention to the fact that they were there, or had come. Bless ye the Lord - Praise Yahweh. Making known their desire that God should be praised, and calling on those who presided over the public worship of the sanctuary to engage now in that service as expressive of their feelings. All ye servants of the Lord - The priests or ministers of religion, appointed especially to this service. Which by night stand in the house of the Lord - There was a class of singers in the temple who devoted the night, or a part of the night, to praise; and it is possible that this service may have been, as it was subsequently in some of the monasteries, continued by succeeding choirs,…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Servant - Peculiarly so called, priests and Levites. Night - Not only by day, but also by night, when their watch was more necessary. Stand - Serve or minister. Psalms 134:3”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“Ps 134 In the last of the pilgrims’ songs (Pss 120–134), the travelers call the Temple workers to praise the Lord. In return, they will receive a much-anticipated blessing. 134:1-2 Those who serve at night were the priests and Levites (see also 135:2).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“bless ye: Psa 103:21, Psa 135:1, Psa 135:2, Psa 135:19-21; Ch1 23:30-32; Rev 19:5 which by night: Psa 130:6; Lev 8:35; Ch1 9:23, Ch1 9:33; Luk 2:37; Rev 7:15 Psalms 134:2”
Read attributed excerpt →
Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The Psalm begins, like its predecessor, with הנּה; there is directs attention to an attractive phenomenon, here to a duty which springs from the office. For that it is not the persons frequenting the Temple who are addressed is at once clear from the fact that the tarrying of these in the Temple through the night, when such a thing did actually occur ( Luk 2:37), was only an exception. And then, however, from the fact that עמד is the customary word for the service of the priests and Levites, Deu 10:8; Deu 18:7; Ch1 23:30; Ch2 29:11 (cf. on Isa 61:10, and Psa 110:4), which is also continued in the night, Ch1 9:33. Even the Targum refers Psa 134:1 to the Temple-watch. In the second Temple the…”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification