Psalms 117 and 134 — Lift Up Your Heart and Soul to Praise the LORD
Introduction: These two psalms are among the shortest in the five books of psalms, and they are both in book five. Psalm 117 in only two verses declares the LORD’S blessing for all people, not just for the nation of Israel. Psalm 134, with only three verses, is the last in the group called the psalms of ascent or degrees. Ascent can describe a process of going or looking up, or looking back to an earlier period of time.
NOTE: Scripture passages are from the World English Bible.
A — People of All Nations Can Praise the Lord
Psalm 117 “1 Praise Yahweh, all you nations! Extol him, all you peoples! 2 For his loving kindness is great toward us. Yahweh’s faithfulness endures forever. Praise Yah!”
Comments: Here is an invitation through the inspired pen of the psalmist for all inhabitants in all lands and nations to praise and lavishly lift up to honor the only true God and LORD of all. Though the Jews were the chosen nation of Yahweh, his grace and forgiveness was not limited to Israel alone, even in the times of the Old Testament. Faith is the defining quality for all those who will be approved of the LORD. Hebrews 11:6 “Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.” The truth of the LORD does indeed endure forever, and his generous love continued for us. 1 John 4 “God has sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” Ephesians 2:4–7 “God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ… that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” All of God’s faithfulness, love, and mercy should cause us as servants of the LORD to praise his holy name wherever we are!
B — Those That Stand by Night in the Lord’s House
Psalm 134 “1 Look! Praise Yahweh, all you servants of Yahweh, who stand by night in Yahweh’s house!”
Comments: From the time of David forward, there was a morning and an evening sacrifice at the sanctuary in Jerusalem every day. That pattern was originally established for the wilderness tabernacle. Exodus 29:38–42. King David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem and placed it in a tent. When Solomon’s temple was completed, the priests carried the Ark into the holy of holies. 1 Kings 8:10–11 “The cloud filled the house of Yahweh, so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for the glory of Yahweh filled the house of Yahweh.” The evening sacrifice may be the “stand by night” reference, and the instruction to “praise the LORD all you servants” could include the priests, the singers, and all those who had come to offer sacrifices and prayers. 1 Chronicles 9:33 “These are the singers… who lived in the rooms and were free from other service; for they were employed in their work day and night.” Psalm 84:10 “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” Luke 2:36–38 records that Anna the prophetess “didn’t depart from the temple, worshipping with fastings and petitions night and day,” and was present when Jesus was brought for dedication.
C — Hands Lifted Up
Psalm 134 “2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary. Praise Yahweh!”
Comments: Though the sanctuary of the tabernacle and later that of the temple at Jerusalem is the direct reference of the psalm, David knew he could appeal to God with uplifted hands even in the wilderness. Psalm 63:4 “So I will bless you while I live. I will lift up my hands in your name.” And the lifting up of hands is symbolic of the condition of the soul before the Lord. Psalm 25:1 “To you, Yahweh, do I lift up my soul.” Psalm 86:4 “Bring joy to the soul of your servant, for to you, Lord, do I lift up my soul.” Though the temple is easily associated with sacrifices on the altar, Asaph wrote: Psalm 50:23 “Whoever offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifies me, and prepares his way so that I will show God’s salvation to him.” And even when the Babylonians destroyed the temple, Jeremiah could still write: Lamentations 3:41 “Let us lift up our heart with our hands to God in the heavens.”
D — God’s Blessing from the Heavenly Zion
Psalm 134 “3 May Yahweh bless you from Zion; even he who made heaven and earth.”
Comments: The tabernacle in the wilderness was a representation of that which is in heaven. Hebrews 8:5 “Who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses was warned by God when he was about to make the tabernacle.” Solomon understood that the temple could not truly contain the God of heaven and earth. 2 Chronicles 6:18–21 “Will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t contain you; how much less this house which I have built!” Paul opened an invitation to trust in the God who created all things. Acts 17:24–28 “The God who made the world and all things in it… doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands… that they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” Now we go to the heavenly Jerusalem to worship and give praise. Hebrews 12:22–24 “You have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem… to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant.”
Reflections in Prayer
Throughout the scriptures your work Lord has presented the possibility for people to become heir to your heavenly kingdom through grace by faith. Those who receive your gift of eternal life Lord, should respond by extolling your name in abundant praise because your loving kindness is great toward us, and your faithfulness endures forever. I will praise you as I lift up my heart whether it is day or night, as I reflect on your mercy toward me. This I will do in the local assembly with other brothers and sisters in Christ, or in the solitude of reading your word and reflecting in silent prayer. I know that you Lord cannot be contained in any temple made by man, as not even your creation of heaven and earth can contain you. But I thank you for the pattern you disclosed of an earthly sanctuary, that I might be reminded to look toward your heavenly sanctuary as I praise your name and your great works. Hallelujah and Amen!
Published 28 April 2012