Psalms 134

1 alleluia laudate nomen Domini laudate servi Dominum

2 qui statis in domo Domini in atriis domus Dei nostri

3 laudate Dominum quia bonus Dominus psallite nomini eius quoniam suave

4 quoniam Iacob elegit sibi Dominus Israhel in possessionem sibi

5 quia ego cognovi quod magnus est Dominus et Deus noster prae omnibus diis

6 omnia quae voluit Dominus fecit in caelo et in terra in mare et in omnibus abyssis

7 educens nubes ab extremo terrae fulgora in pluviam fecit qui producit ventos de thesauris suis

8 qui percussit primogenita Aegypti ab homine usque ad pecus

9 emisit signa et prodigia in medio tui Aegypte in Pharaonem et in omnes servos eius

10 qui percussit gentes multas et occidit reges fortes

11 Seon regem Amorreorum et Og regem Basan et omnia regna Chanaan

12 et dedit terram eorum hereditatem hereditatem Israhel populo suo

13 Domine nomen tuum in aeternum Domine memoriale tuum in generationem et generationem

14 quia iudicabit Dominus populum suum et in servis suis deprecabitur

15 simulacra gentium argentum et aurum opera manuum hominum

16 os habent et non loquentur oculos habent et non videbunt

17 aures habent et non audient neque enim est spiritus in ore eorum

18 similes illis fiant qui faciunt ea et omnes qui sperant in eis

19 domus Israhel benedicite Domino domus Aaron benedicite Domino

20 domus Levi benedicite Domino qui timetis Dominum benedicite Domino

21 benedictus Dominus ex Sion qui habitat in Hierusalem

Psalms 134 Commentary

Chapter 134

An exhortation to bless the Lord.

- We must stir up ourselves to give glory to God, and encourage ourselves to hope for mercy and grace from him. It is an excellent plan to fill up all our spare minutes with pious meditations, and prayers and praises. No time would then be a burden, nor should we murder our hours by trifling conversation and vain amusements, or by carnal indulgences. We need desire no more to make us happy, than to be blessed of the Lord. We ought to beg spiritual blessings, not only for ourselves, but for others; not only, The Lord bless me, but, The Lord bless thee; thus testifying our belief that there is enough for others as well as for us, and showing our good will to others.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 134

\\<>\\. This is the last of the psalms called "songs of degrees"; of which \\see Gill on "Ps 120:1"\\, title. It is thought to be written by David, either when he brought the ark to Zion, 2Sa 6:17,18; or rather when he numbered the Levites, and appointed them their service, 1Ch 23:26,30. So the Syriac inscription, ``"a psalm" of David, concerning the priests, whom he appointed to wait on the ministry of the Lord in the nights; but, spiritually, an instruction of life.'' Aben Ezra connects it with the preceding psalm, ``as the dew of Hermon ye shall be that bless; behold, therefore, ye are bound to bless the Lord?''