HEAVEN, EARTH, & ZION – 11-10-24 – Psalm 134

Ps 134 is a fitting conclusion & crescendo to the Songs of Ascent summarizing central themes of this catalogue in the Psalter. In the context of temple worship at the time of authorship, Psalm 134 serves as an appropriate salutation and benediction. In its historical context, the people wave “goodbye” to the priests returning to their various vocations while their representatives perform the sacrifices in their stead.  The promise & picture of a tireless priesthood is celebrated in this anthem.  The hopes of Israel at the time rested upon the shoulders of many mortal men, themselves sinners, to intercede on their behalf with merely symbolic sacrifices day & night in the house of the Lord. —Not so today! We have our great eternal, omnipotent High Priest Jesus Christ! (Hebrews 7:22-25). And as such, priestly duties of spiritual service unto God now fall in a secondary sense on all believers (I Peter 2:5) as they step through the veil (Heb 10:19-22) torn at Calvary into otherwise unmediated communion with God. Thus, on this side of the New Covenant, the call to worship of Psalm 134 extends beyond the old tabernacle order to all believers… Come bless the Lord all you servants of the Lord!