Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Chapter 8: Psalms 131–150

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Psalm 134 with John Calvin – GenuineWorship It is evident that the psalmist addresses priests, since he prescribes the form of benediction which they were to offer up for the people, and this was a duty belonging exclusively to the priests. The Levites are here called servants of God, because of the role they played as specially appointed to watch by night in the temple (Lev 8:35). Notice the psalmist’s design in urging the duty of praise so earnestly upon them. Merely to keep nightly watch over the temple, light the lamps, and oversee the sacrifices, was of no importance, unless they served God spiritually, and referred all outward ceremonies to that which must be considered the main sacrifice—the celebration of God’s praises. You may think it a very labor-intensive service to stand watch in the temple while others sleep in their own houses, but the worship God requires is something more excellent than this, and demands of you to sing his praises before all the people. May the LORD bless you from Zion! (v. 3) The psalmist had first told the priests to bless God; now he tells them to bless the people in his name. This does not excuse the people from worshipping God themselves. What God intended was that the priests should lead the way in divine service, and the people follow their example from the temple, and practice it individually in their private houses. The God who blessed them out of Zion is said to be the Maker of heaven and earth . Mention of his title as Maker sets forth his power, convincing believers there is nothing that may not be hoped from God. For what is the world but a mirror in which we see his boundless power? But since many, when they hear God spoken of as Creator, tend to think of him as standing at a distance