A closing liturgy at the temple.
Scripture References:
st. 1 = vv. 1-2
st. 2 = v. 3
Psalm 134 is the last of fifteen "Songs of Ascents" (120-134) the Israelites sang as they went up to worship at the temple in Jerusalem. A brief parting exchange between the worshipers and the temple personnel, this psalm is a fitting conclusion to that collection. Originally this little liturgy may have functioned as the closure to the daily evening sacrifices. As they are ready to depart, the people exhort the Levites to carry on God's praise (even into the night, v. 1; st. 1), and they receive a priestly benediction (st. 2). Calvin Seerveld (PHH 22) versified this psalm in 1981 for the Psalter Hymnal. Because verse 3 echoes the beginning of the Aaronic benediction (Num. 6:24), Seerveld incorporated part of that benediction in stanza 2.
Liturgical Use:
Close of worship (with st. 2 as a sung benediction); for festive occasions such as ordination and wedding services.
--Psalter Hymnal Handbook
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