The Lord Bless and Keep You – Psalm 134

“A Song of Ascents.” [1]

“Behold, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who by night stand in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord.” Psalm 134:1-2

David appointed certain priests to stand and bless the Lord’s Name at night in His house. This was both a time of worship unto the Lord from whom all blessings flow and a ministry on behalf of the people of God. These servants of the Lord who lifted up their hands in the sanctuary and blessed the Lord kept God’s praise continually coming forth through the night on behalf of the community of believers as well as in a sense on behalf of the whole human race.

Our very life breath depends on God. He who made heaven and earth made the ground on which we walk. He made the food which we eat. The Lord deserves our praise. He made us and when our first parents chose to sin against Him, He sent His Son into the world to take on human flesh and become a perfect sacrifice for our sins. Thus, He purchased for us eternal life.

The servants of the Lord who stood by night in the house of the Lord made sure that the fire on the altar and the lamps in the temple continued burning. [2]

There were likely other faithful believers who stayed awake at night with them. In Luke 2:37, the Lord speaks of Anna, who “departed not from the temple night or day.” [3]

The servants of the Lord stayed awake by keeping their minds and hearts occupied with worship. Rather than sleep, they prayed, meditated in God’s Word, and gave to God glory! [4]

They left behind good examples for us to follow. While others sleep, we can enjoy time with God. There is no better use of our time than fellowship with the Lord. [5]

Before the priests served in the temple, they washed themselves, teaching them that they must come before God with clean hearts and holy lives. [6]

Psalm 134 begins with the word “Behold!” When we look at God through the lens of the Scriptures, we see a powerful yet loving Father. Our God is an awesome God. He created and sustains the universe. All life forms depend on Him to exist. In James 1:17, we read that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” Praise the Lord! The more we consider what the Lord has done for us, the more we want to stand and bless His Name.

Since God created everything, He controls all blessings, both in heaven and on earth. Nothing is beyond His power to provide. [7]

“The Lord who made heaven and earth bless you from Zion!” Psalm 134:3

Asking God to bless others shows that we trust Him to provide enough blessing for everyone. It also shows love and kindness toward our neighbors. [8]

Should we bless those who curse us? In Matthew 5:44-46, Jesus said, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?”

Many Christian worship services end with a leader in the church blessing the people. In Church language, we call this a benediction.

Below are five “benedictions” from the Bible. I pray that the Lord will bless you accordingly.

Numbers 6:24-26, “The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”

Romans 15:13, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

2 Corinthians 13:13, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.”

2 Thessalonians 3:16, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.”

Hebrews 13:20-21, “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”


[1] “The Song of Ascents” (Psalms 120–134) are songs to sing as one journeys toward God.
[2-8] Material developed, added to and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary