The Meaning of Psalms 134:1 Explained

Psalms 134:1

KJV: {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.

YLT: A Song of the Ascents. Lo, bless Jehovah, all servants of Jehovah, Who are standing in the house of Jehovah by night.

Darby: {A Song of degrees.} Behold, bless Jehovah, all ye servants of Jehovah, who by night stand in the house of Jehovah.

ASV: Behold, bless ye Jehovah, all ye servants of Jehovah, That by night stand in the house of Jehovah.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

{{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. 

What does Psalms 134:1 Mean?

Study Notes

A Song of degrees
See title note; .
Literally, "of ascents." Perhaps chanted by the people as they went up to Jerusalem to the feasts. See, e.g. Psalms 112:1 ; Psalms 112:2 .

Context Summary

Psalms 134:1-3 - Unity Is Of God
The word Behold suggests that some special manifestation of unity was taking place under the psalmist's eyes, perhaps in connection with some great religious festival; or David may have composed it to celebrate the healing of the breach after the death of Ishbosheth. We must not only be one in God's purpose, but must be willing to dwell together, that is, to manifest our unity in outward action. For the precious oil see Exodus 30:20-38 and 1 John 2:27. Our Lord was anointed with the Holy Spirit, and we may share in His Pentecost, Luke 3:21-22; Acts 2:33.
Psalms 134:1-3. The last of the "Songs of Degrees." It may have been addressed to the priests who came on duty after the offering of the evening sacrifice. There was evidently a band of choristers and others who were on duty while Jerusalem slept. The psalm ends with the reciprocal blessing of the watchers on the retreating crowds; commending them, during the hours of darkness, to the care of the Lord of heaven and earth. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 134

1  An exhortation to bless God

What do the individual words in Psalms 134:1 mean?

A Song of Ascents Behold bless - Yahweh all [you] servants of Yahweh who stand in the house of Yahweh by night
שִׁ֗יר הַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת הִנֵּ֤ה ׀ בָּרֲכ֣וּ אֶת־ יְ֭הוָה כָּל־ עַבְדֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה הָעֹמְדִ֥ים בְּבֵית־ יְ֝הוָ֗ה בַּלֵּילֽוֹת

שִׁ֗יר  A  Song 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: שִׁיר 
Sense: song.
הַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת  of  Ascents 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine plural
Root: מַעֲלָה 
Sense: what comes up, thoughts.
הִנֵּ֤ה ׀  Behold 
Parse: Interjection
Root: הִנֵּה  
Sense: behold, lo, see, if.
בָּרֲכ֣וּ  bless 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: בָּרַךְ 
Sense: to bless, kneel.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
יְ֭הוָה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
עַבְדֵ֣י  [you]  servants 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: עֶבֶד  
Sense: slave, servant.
יְהוָ֑ה  of  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
הָעֹמְדִ֥ים  who  stand 
Parse: Article, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural
Root: עָמַד  
Sense: to stand, remain, endure, take one’s stand.
בְּבֵית־  in  the  house 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: בַּיִת 
Sense: house.
יְ֝הוָ֗ה  of  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
בַּלֵּילֽוֹת  by  night 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: לַיִל 
Sense: night.