Psalm 134:1
New International Version
A song of ascents. Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD.

New Living Translation
Oh, praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, you who serve at night in the house of the LORD.

English Standard Version
Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, who stand by night in the house of the LORD!

Berean Standard Bible
A song of ascents. Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who serve by night in the house of the LORD!

Berean Literal Bible
A Song of the Ascents. Come, bless YHWH, all servants of YHWH, those standing in the house of YHWH by night!

King James Bible
A Song of degrees. Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.

New King James Version
A Song of Ascents. Behold, bless the LORD, All you servants of the LORD, Who by night stand in the house of the LORD!

New American Standard Bible
A Song of Ascents. Behold, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, Who serve by night in the house of the LORD!

NASB 1995
A Song of Ascents. Behold, bless the LORD, all servants of the LORD, Who serve by night in the house of the LORD!

NASB 1977
Behold, bless the LORD, all servants of the LORD, Who serve by night in the house of the LORD!

Legacy Standard Bible
A Song of Ascents. Behold, bless Yahweh, all you slaves of Yahweh, Who stand in the house of Yahweh by night!

Amplified Bible
A Song of Ascents. Behold, bless and praise the LORD, all servants of the LORD (priests, Levites), Who stand and serve by night in the house of the LORD.

Berean Annotated Bible
A song of ascents. Come, bless the LORD {YHWH}, all you servants of the LORD who serve by night in the house of the LORD!

Christian Standard Bible
A song of ascents. Now bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who stand in the LORD’s house at night!

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A song of ascents. Now praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who stand in the LORD’s house at night!

American Standard Version
A Song of Ascents. Behold, bless ye Jehovah, all ye servants of Jehovah, That by night stand in the house of Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
Everyone who serves the LORD, come and offer praises. Everyone who has gathered in his temple tonight,

English Revised Version
A Song of Ascents. Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[A song for going up to worship.] Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, all who stand in the house of the LORD night after night.

Good News Translation
Come, praise the LORD, all his servants, all who serve in his Temple at night.

International Standard Version
Now bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who serve nightly in the LORD's Temple.

NET Bible
A song of ascents. Attention! Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, who serve in the LORD's temple during the night.

New Heart English Bible
[A Song of Ascents.] Look. Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, who stand by night in the LORD's house.

Webster's Bible Translation
A Song of degrees. Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, who by night stand in the house of the LORD.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
A song of ascents. Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who serve by night in the house of the LORD!

World English Bible
A Song of Ascents. Look! Praise Yahweh, all you servants of Yahweh, who stand by night in Yahweh’s house!
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A SONG OF THE ASCENTS. Behold, bless YHWH, all servants of YHWH, "" Who are standing in the house of YHWH by night.

Berean Literal Bible
A Song of the Ascents. Come, bless YHWH, all servants of YHWH, those standing in the house of YHWH by night!

Young's Literal Translation
A Song of the Ascents. Lo, bless Jehovah, all servants of Jehovah, Who are standing in the house of Jehovah by night.

Smith's Literal Translation
Song of ascensions. Behold, praise ye Jehovah, all ye servants of Jehovah, standing in the house of Jehovah, in the nights.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Behold now bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord: Who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
A Canticle in steps. Behold, bless the Lord now, all you servants of the Lord, who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.

New American Bible
A 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.

New Revised Standard Version
Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, who stand by night in the house of the LORD!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
BEHOLD, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, who by night stand in the house of the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Bless LORD JEHOVAH, all you Servants of LORD JEHOVAH, those who stand in his house and in the courts of the house of LORD JEHOVAH at night.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A Song of Ascents. Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, That stand in the house of the LORD in the night seasons.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A Song of Degrees. Behold now, bless ye the Lord, all the servants of the Lord, who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Bless the LORD, All You Servants
1A song of ascents. Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who serve by night in the house of the LORD! 2Lift up your hands to the sanctuary and bless the LORD!…

Cross References
A song of ascents.

Psalm 120:1
A song of ascents. In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He answered me.

Psalm 121:1
A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?

Psalm 122:1
A song of ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
Come, bless the LORD,

Nehemiah 9:5
Then the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah—said, “Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting: Blessed be Your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.

Psalm 103:1-2
Of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul; all that is within me, bless His holy name. / Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all His kind deeds—

Psalm 100:4
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and bless His name.
all you servants of the LORD

Psalm 113:1
Hallelujah! Give praise, O servants of the LORD; praise the name of the LORD.

Psalm 135:1
Hallelujah! Praise the name of the LORD. Give praise, O servants of the LORD,

Isaiah 54:17
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.
who serve by night

Exodus 27:20-21
And you are to command the Israelites to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually. / In the Tent of Meeting, outside the veil that is in front of the Testimony, Aaron and his sons are to tend the lamps before the LORD from evening until morning. This is to be a permanent statute for the Israelites for the generations to come.

Leviticus 24:1-4
Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Command the Israelites to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually. / Outside the veil of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, Aaron is to tend the lamps continually before the LORD from evening until morning. This is to be a permanent statute for the generations to come. …

1 Chronicles 9:33
Those who were musicians, the heads of Levite families, stayed in the temple chambers and were exempt from other duties because they were on duty day and night.
in the house of the LORD!

Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 27:4
One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.

Psalm 84:10
For better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
Psalm 92:1-2
A Psalm. A song for the Sabbath day. It is good to praise the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High, / to proclaim Your loving devotion in the morning and Your faithfulness at night


Treasury of Scripture

Behold, bless you the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.

A.

Psalm 120:1
A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.

Psalm 121:1
A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

Psalm 122:1
A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

bless ye

Psalm 103:21
Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

Psalm 135:1,2,19-21
Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD…

1 Chronicles 23:30-32
And to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even; …

which by night

Psalm 130:6
My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

Leviticus 8:35
Therefore shall ye abide at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation day and night seven days, and keep the charge of the LORD, that ye die not: for so I am commanded.

1 Chronicles 9:23,33
So they and their children had the oversight of the gates of the house of the LORD, namely, the house of the tabernacle, by wards…

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Psalm 134
1. An exhortation to bless God












A song of ascents.
This phrase indicates that Psalm 134 is part of the Songs of Ascents, a collection of Psalms (120-134) traditionally sung by Hebrew pilgrims as they ascended to Jerusalem for the three major feasts: Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. The ascent is both physical, as Jerusalem is situated on a hill, and spiritual, symbolizing drawing closer to God. The Songs of Ascents reflect themes of worship, community, and reliance on God.

Come, bless the LORD,
The call to "bless the LORD" is an invitation to praise and worship God. In Hebrew, "bless" (barak) implies kneeling and adoration, acknowledging God's sovereignty and goodness. This phrase emphasizes the importance of worship as a communal and individual act of devotion. It reflects the biblical principle that God is worthy of praise at all times, as seen in other scriptures like Psalm 103:1-2.

all you servants of the LORD
This refers to the priests and Levites who ministered in the temple. They were set apart for the service of God, representing the people before Him. The term "servants" underscores the idea of dedicated service and obedience to God's commands. In a broader sense, it can apply to all believers who are called to serve God with their lives, as seen in Romans 12:1.

who serve by night
Serving by night highlights the continuous nature of worship and service in the temple. The priests and Levites maintained the temple rituals, including offerings and prayers, ensuring that worship was unceasing. This night service symbolizes vigilance and dedication, reminiscent of the watchfulness Jesus encouraged in His followers (Mark 13:35-37).

in the house of the LORD!
The "house of the LORD" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites. It was considered the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. The temple's significance is seen throughout the Old Testament and is fulfilled in the New Testament with Jesus Christ, who referred to His body as the temple (John 2:19-21), and in the church, which is described as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Servants of the LORD
These are the Levitical priests and temple workers who were responsible for the worship and maintenance of the temple. They served both day and night, ensuring that the worship of God continued without ceasing.

2. The House of the LORD
This refers to the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites, where God's presence was believed to dwell.

3. Night Service
The mention of serving by night highlights the continuous nature of worship and dedication required by the temple servants. It underscores the idea of vigilance and devotion even during times of rest.
Teaching Points
Continuous Worship
Just as the temple servants were called to bless the LORD day and night, believers today are encouraged to maintain a lifestyle of continuous worship and devotion, recognizing God's presence in every aspect of life.

Faithfulness in Service
The dedication of the temple servants serves as a model for believers to be faithful in their service to God, regardless of the time or circumstances.

The Role of Worship in Community
The communal aspect of worship in the temple reminds us of the importance of gathering together as a body of believers to honor and bless the LORD.

Spiritual Vigilance
Serving by night symbolizes spiritual vigilance and readiness. Believers are called to be spiritually alert and prepared, even during times of darkness or challenge.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Psalm 134:1?

2. How can we "bless the LORD" in our daily lives like Psalm 134:1?

3. What does "servants of the LORD" mean in the context of Psalm 134:1?

4. How does Psalm 134:1 connect with worship practices in the New Testament?

5. Why is it important to "stand by night" in spiritual vigilance today?

6. How can we incorporate the spirit of Psalm 134:1 into our prayer routines?

7. What does "Bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD" imply about worship practices?

8. How does Psalm 134:1 reflect the role of temple servants in ancient Israel?

9. What historical context surrounds the writing of Psalm 134?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 134?

11. How does Psalm 134’s call to “bless the Lord” fit with passages like Genesis 12:2, where only God imparts blessing?

12. Psalm 134:1 mentions serving “by night” in the temple; does any archaeological evidence support 24-hour worship in ancient Israel?

13. If God is all-sufficient, why does Psalm 134:1–2 emphasize continual praise from humans?

14. If Psalm 52 is specifically about Doeg the Edomite, where is the archaeological or textual proof confirming these events?
What Does Psalm 134:1 Mean
A song of ascents

• This brief label tells us the psalm was sung by pilgrims climbing toward Jerusalem’s temple. Think of families, priests, and travelers literally walking uphill, hearts lifting with every step (Psalm 120-134 share this heading).

• The upward journey reflects a spiritual ascent as well—drawing nearer to God just as Isaiah 2:3 pictures the nations streaming up to His house.

• It reminds us that pilgrimage and worship are inseparable: Deuteronomy 16:16 commanded Israel to appear before the LORD three times a year, and Psalm 122:1 captures the joy of that call.


Come, bless the LORD

• “Come” is an urgent invitation; “bless” is an active response. The psalmist urges worshipers to acknowledge God’s greatness out loud. Psalm 100:4 says, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving… bless His name.”

• Blessing God isn’t adding something He lacks; it’s recognizing who He is—just as David does in Psalm 103:1, “Bless the LORD, O my soul.”

Revelation 5:13 pictures all creation doing this eternally, proving that praising the LORD is both our present duty and future destiny.


All you servants of the LORD

• Originally aimed at priests and Levites, the phrase also embraces anyone devoted to God. Psalm 113:1 calls, “Praise, O servants of the LORD.”

• Today every believer is part of “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). If Christ has redeemed you, you’re included in this summons.

• The verse levels distinctions: experienced priest or weary traveler, all stand equal before the throne (Revelation 1:6).


Who serve by night

• Temple duty didn’t stop at sunset. Chronicles notes gatekeepers and singers “assigned day and night” (1 Chronicles 9:33).

• Night service pictures unwavering devotion. Whether on literal night watch or figuratively in life’s dark seasons, God’s servants keep praising (Psalm 63:6; Acts 16:25).

• Continuous worship also prefigures the church’s call to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).


In the house of the LORD

• The “house” was the temple, the unique meeting place between holy God and sinful people (Psalm 26:8; 84:10).

• Jesus fulfilled and surpassed that structure; through Him believers become God’s dwelling (1 Corinthians 3:16) and enjoy full access (Hebrews 10:19-22).

• Yet the physical setting still matters: gathering with God’s people—whether in a sanctuary or a living room—echoes this ancient scene and keeps our focus vertical (Psalm 27:4).


summary

Psalm 134:1 is a direct, winsome call to everyone devoted to God: Join the perpetual chorus of praise. Whether trudging up a dusty road toward Jerusalem or standing in a modern worship service, whether at high noon or in the midnight shift of life, bless the LORD. He is always worthy, and His people are always invited.

(1) All ye servants.--We learn from 1Chronicles 9:33 that there were Levites whose duties brought them to the Temple by night. Moreover, the word '?mad, "stand," is the customary word for sacerdotal service (Deuteronomy 10:8; Deuteronomy 18:7; 1Chronicles 23:30, &c).

Verse 1. - Behold. The word calls attention to an immediate need - something that is to be done, and to be done at once. Bless ye the Lord. This must mean "for us" - "on our behalf." Thank God for having brought our journey to a prosperous end. All ye servants of the Lord, which by night stand in the house of the Lord; i.e. ye special servants of the Lord, priests and Levites, now standing within his courts, and engaged in his worship. The temple was never left without a body of priests and Levites, to keep it and sing praises in it.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A Song
שִׁ֗יר (šîr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7892: A song, singing

of Ascents.
הַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת (ham·ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4609: Elevation, the act, the condition, a climactic progression

Come,
הִנֵּ֤ה ׀ (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

bless
בָּרֲכ֣וּ (bā·ră·ḵū)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 1288: To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse

the LORD,
יְ֭הוָה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

you servants
עַבְדֵ֣י (‘aḇ·ḏê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

of the LORD
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

who serve
הָעֹמְדִ֥ים (hā·‘ō·mə·ḏîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

by night
בַּלֵּילֽוֹת׃ (bal·lê·lō·wṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity

in the house
בְּבֵית־ (bə·ḇêṯ-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of the LORD!
יְ֝הוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT Poetry: Psalm 134:1 A Song of Ascents (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 133:3
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