God's Commanded Blessing
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!"
Psalm 133:1
Tragically, it seems that few of God's people are aware of the value of our unity in the eyes of God. Wherever God sees sincere unity among us we are assured of two amazing blessings from Him. First, we are promised the anointing oil of the Holy Spirit that will bring unique blessings normally reserved for only the high priest. Secondly, God promises to "command" blessing upon our lives.
Who or what can hinder what God commands? No one and nothing!
Let us seek unity much more than blessing, and we will be assured of both. Nothing in Heaven or on Earth can hinder what God has promised and what He will command.
In Worship, Let God Be Central
"Behold, bless the LORD, All you servants of the LORD, Who by night stand in the house of the LORD!"
Psalm 134:1
Worship is often misunderstood; it often becomes much more about us than about sincere and passionate expressions of our love and awe for God. The pleasure we derive from stirring music and the emotional bond we experience with fellow worshipers often becomes our unspoken purpose in worship.
God Himself can easily become a secondary focal point.
God created music to gladden our souls, and we should accept it as a good thing. That God created us to find pleasure in sharing meaningful experiences with one another is also a good thing. Music and fellowship with one another is one of the greatest resources available to make our life rich and meaningful. It is something in which all people, rich or poor, can share.
But to let the good replace the best robs us of the one thing that makes the "good" truly good. Let the best be satisfied by worshiping God.
When God is the center purpose for which all that is good is used, including music and fellowship, everything else we do is so much richer.
What Stimulates Praise?
"Praise the LORD! Praise the name of the LORD; Praise Him, O you servants of the LORD!"
Psalm 135:1
"Your name, O LORD, endures forever, Your fame, O LORD, throughout all generations."
Psalm 135:13
To refer to the name of God is to direct us to the glory of who God is and the things He alone does to perfection.
It is through this process of discovering and enjoying God that we find worship and praise of Him to be a wellspring of joy.
This principle is often overlooked when church leaders and worship leaders are seeking to motivate the church to become more "worshipful." We often turn to music style, song-leading cheerleaders, or guilt to stir people when what is really needed is the knowledge of God.
If we but see His glory, our worship of Him would be unstoppable.
This is exactly what the psalmist does here. He points us to simply see God. God is good, he declares, one who richly treasures us (v. 3, 4). Nothing hinders God from doing whatever His own pure and great being chooses to do (v. 8-12). And, even though His greatness is as far above us as the heavens, He comes to us with great compassion and empathy (v. 14).
To see God is to automatically adore Him.
Those who see Him need no cheerleader to get them to praise Him. For such people, praise is waiting to be poured out when given an opportunity.
The Joy of a Thankful Heart
"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever."
Psalm 136:1
Thanksgiving lifted up to God is one of the greatest virtues we can develop. Those who live with thankfulness are generally easy to point out among a group of people. Thankful people tend to be some of the happiest people on earth. Conversely, the unthankful seem to draw dark clouds over their souls.
This is why we are commanded to give thanks to God in all things.
Thankfulness requires that whether in good or bad situations we seek a place where God's glory can shine. Obviously it is much easier to say thank you when all is good in our lives. Yet in doing so we anchor ourselves in God lest we soon turn the good into idols that rob us of Him.
To be able to find a place of thankfulness in the inevitable bad that befalls all who walk through a cursed world will be a great saving grace as well. It is in the bad times that we find God as an ever-present strength. It is there we discover a love from God that is unshakable.
In the discovery of God's love, absolutely nothing can separate us from the grip of His love. It is in suffering that we find God is able to turn all things together for good.
(Rom. 8:28).
Psalms 133
~ A Song of Ascent. Of David.
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Running down on the beard,
The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
Descending upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the LORD commanded the blessing—
Life forevermore.
Psalm 134
~ A Song of Ascents
.
1 Behold, bless the LORD,
All you servants of the LORD,
Who by night stand in the house of the LORD!
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary,
And bless the LORD.
3 The LORD who made heaven and earth
Bless you from Zion!
Psalm 135
~ Praise to God in Creation and Redemption
1 Praise the LORD!
Praise the name of the LORD;
Praise Him, O you servants of the LORD!
2 You who stand in the house of the LORD,
In the courts of the house of our God,
3 Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;
Sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant.
4 For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself,
Israel for His special treasure.
5 For I know that the LORD is great,
And our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatever the LORD pleases He does,
In heaven and in earth,
In the seas and in all deep places.
7 He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth;
He makes lightning for the rain;
He brings the wind out of His treasuries.
8 He destroyed the firstborn of Egypt,
Both of man and beast.
9 He sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, O Egypt,
Upon Pharaoh and all his servants.
10 He defeated many nations
And slew mighty kings—
11 Sihon king of the Amorites,
Og king of Bashan,
And all the kingdoms of Canaan—
12 And gave their land as a heritage,
A heritage to Israel His people.
13 Your name, O LORD, endures forever,
Your fame, O LORD, throughout all generations.
14 For the LORD will judge His people,
And He will have compassion on His servants.
15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
The work of men's hands.
16 They have mouths, but they do not speak;
Eyes they have, but they do not see;
17 They have ears, but they do not hear;
Nor is there any breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them are like them;
So is everyone who trusts in them.
19 Bless the LORD, O house of Israel!
Bless the LORD, O house of Aaron!
20 Bless the LORD, O house of Levi!
You who fear the LORD, bless the LORD!
21 Blessed be the LORD out of Zion,
Who dwells in Jerusalem!
Praise the LORD!
Psalm 136
~ Thanksgiving to God for His Enduring Mercy
1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!
For His mercy endures forever.
3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
For His mercy endures forever:
4 To Him who alone does great wonders,
For His mercy endures forever;
5 To Him who by wisdom made the heavens,
For His mercy endures forever;
6 To Him who laid out the earth above the waters,
For His mercy endures forever;
7 To Him who made great lights,
For His mercy endures forever—
8 The sun to rule by day,
For His mercy endures forever;
9 The moon and stars to rule by night,
For His mercy endures forever.
10 To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn,
For His mercy endures forever;
11 And brought out Israel from among them,
For His mercy endures forever;
12 With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm,
For His mercy endures forever;
13 To Him who divided the Red Sea in two,
For His mercy endures forever;
14 And made Israel pass through the midst of it,
For His mercy endures forever;
15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea,
For His mercy endures forever;
16 To Him who led His people through the wilderness,
For His mercy endures forever;
17 To Him who struck down great kings,
For His mercy endures forever;
18 And slew famous kings,
For His mercy endures forever—
19 Sihon king of the Amorites,
For His mercy endures forever;
20 And Og king of Bashan,
For His mercy endures forever—
21 And gave their land as a heritage,
For His mercy endures forever;
22 A heritage to Israel His servant,
For His mercy endures forever.
23 Who remembered us in our lowly state,
For His mercy endures forever;
24 And rescued us from our enemies,
For His mercy endures forever;
25 Who gives food to all flesh,
For His mercy endures forever.
26 Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven!
For His mercy endures forever.
~ A Song of Ascent. Of David.
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Running down on the beard,
The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
Descending upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the LORD commanded the blessing—
Life forevermore.
Psalm 134
~ A Song of Ascents
.
1 Behold, bless the LORD,
All you servants of the LORD,
Who by night stand in the house of the LORD!
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary,
And bless the LORD.
3 The LORD who made heaven and earth
Bless you from Zion!
Psalm 135
~ Praise to God in Creation and Redemption
1 Praise the LORD!
Praise the name of the LORD;
Praise Him, O you servants of the LORD!
2 You who stand in the house of the LORD,
In the courts of the house of our God,
3 Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;
Sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant.
4 For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself,
Israel for His special treasure.
5 For I know that the LORD is great,
And our Lord is above all gods.
6 Whatever the LORD pleases He does,
In heaven and in earth,
In the seas and in all deep places.
7 He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth;
He makes lightning for the rain;
He brings the wind out of His treasuries.
8 He destroyed the firstborn of Egypt,
Both of man and beast.
9 He sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, O Egypt,
Upon Pharaoh and all his servants.
10 He defeated many nations
And slew mighty kings—
11 Sihon king of the Amorites,
Og king of Bashan,
And all the kingdoms of Canaan—
12 And gave their land as a heritage,
A heritage to Israel His people.
13 Your name, O LORD, endures forever,
Your fame, O LORD, throughout all generations.
14 For the LORD will judge His people,
And He will have compassion on His servants.
15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
The work of men's hands.
16 They have mouths, but they do not speak;
Eyes they have, but they do not see;
17 They have ears, but they do not hear;
Nor is there any breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them are like them;
So is everyone who trusts in them.
19 Bless the LORD, O house of Israel!
Bless the LORD, O house of Aaron!
20 Bless the LORD, O house of Levi!
You who fear the LORD, bless the LORD!
21 Blessed be the LORD out of Zion,
Who dwells in Jerusalem!
Praise the LORD!
Psalm 136
~ Thanksgiving to God for His Enduring Mercy
1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
2 Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!
For His mercy endures forever.
3 Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
For His mercy endures forever:
4 To Him who alone does great wonders,
For His mercy endures forever;
5 To Him who by wisdom made the heavens,
For His mercy endures forever;
6 To Him who laid out the earth above the waters,
For His mercy endures forever;
7 To Him who made great lights,
For His mercy endures forever—
8 The sun to rule by day,
For His mercy endures forever;
9 The moon and stars to rule by night,
For His mercy endures forever.
10 To Him who struck Egypt in their firstborn,
For His mercy endures forever;
11 And brought out Israel from among them,
For His mercy endures forever;
12 With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm,
For His mercy endures forever;
13 To Him who divided the Red Sea in two,
For His mercy endures forever;
14 And made Israel pass through the midst of it,
For His mercy endures forever;
15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea,
For His mercy endures forever;
16 To Him who led His people through the wilderness,
For His mercy endures forever;
17 To Him who struck down great kings,
For His mercy endures forever;
18 And slew famous kings,
For His mercy endures forever—
19 Sihon king of the Amorites,
For His mercy endures forever;
20 And Og king of Bashan,
For His mercy endures forever—
21 And gave their land as a heritage,
For His mercy endures forever;
22 A heritage to Israel His servant,
For His mercy endures forever.
23 Who remembered us in our lowly state,
For His mercy endures forever;
24 And rescued us from our enemies,
For His mercy endures forever;
25 Who gives food to all flesh,
For His mercy endures forever.
26 Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven!
For His mercy endures forever.
Psalms 133
This song, with its emphasis upon unity and harmony among brothers (and sisters) in the faith was a potent reminder to the travelers on their way to Jerusalem that the stresses of the journey should not make them disunited and divided among themselves. In a broader sense, it is a call to the entire People of God to be diligent to "preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:3) upon our journey to the Heavenly City! It emphasizes this through two similes that highlight the "overflow" (literally: "coming down") of blessing coming from this concord.
v. 1 Behold – This psalm begins with a strong accent in Hebrew: "Look! How-good + how-pleasant!" (The actual words are the text of a well-known worship song: Hinneh ma-tov.)
pleasant – delightful and agreeable (also used of harmonious music)
v. 2 precious oil upon the head – "Anointing" with oil was a sign that the person was set apart for God; in the case of Aaron, for the high priesthood, the most important spiritual responsibility in the nation. The oil flows ("comes down") in fullness from his head to his full beard (emphasized by the immediate repetition of the word "beard"; in Hebrew the second use follows the first immediately: "upon the beard – beard of Aaron"). It drips down ("comes down") on to his formal robes. The flood of this costly oil is a simile for the abundance of blessing that comes when God's people live in true unity.
v. 3 like the dew of Hermon – The poet introduces a second image: when believers live together in community and harmony, the blessing that follows is ordered by God and eternal. It is like the cool, moist breezes blowing from the snows on Mt. Hermon (north of Galilee) that "come down" on to the hot plains of Galilee and hills of northern Judah during the heat of summer.
Psalm 134
This is last of the "Songs of Ascents" that were most likely sung during pilgrimage up to Jerusalem for the three major festivals at which each Jewish male living in the promised land was required to come to the Temple.
At the conclusion of their pilgrimage, the travelers stand in "the house of the Lord", the Temple. They call out, perhaps to the officiating priests: "Bless (i.e. praise) the Lord."
v. 1 who by night stand in the house of the LORD – The sacrifices took place in the Temple during the daylight hours but the priests stayed through the night to care for and guard its precincts, tend the 7-armed lamp (Menorah) in the Holy Place and other fires and prepare for the rituals of the coming day.
v. 2 Lift up your hands – This is perhaps the echoing call of the priests presiding over the ceremonies: the newly arrived worshippers are to "Lift your hands" and praise Him.
the sanctuary – literally, "toward the Holy Place"
v. 3 who made heaven and earth – The translators of the NKJV (and most other English translations) reversed the word order of this verse. It reads, in Hebrew: "Bless-you the LORD – from Zion; (He that) made heaven and earth." There is a deep reason for the word order in Hebrew, though. The psalm focuses on the Temple (the "house of the LORD" in v. 1; the "sanctuary" of v. 2). The poet sees the Lord's blessing coming out of Zion, where He has localized Himself in space and time (compare Ps. 135:21)! This much is true of every so-called "god" in the history of the human race; they each have their shrine or place. BUT the poet then reminds us: HE Who is giving this blessing and whose Name is above all names is not confined to Zion, even though He has chosen to put His Name there. On the contrary, He is the one who has made everything. He is the ONE, truly transcendent "Almighty" God!
Psalm 135
This praise psalm continues the theme of worship in the Temple that permeates the 15 pilgrim "Songs of Ascent" that precede it. It reviews God's power as creator, His choice of Israel as His special treasure and His actions on her behalf, with a concluding comment on the futility idol-worship.
v. 1-2 Praise the name of the LORD – This verse and verse two sets this psalm firmly in the Temple and identifies it as a praise/thanksgiving song from the first word on.
v. 3 pleasant – literally, beautiful, harmonious (when applied to music)
v. 4 His special treasure – valued property (Ex. 19:5, Deut. 14:2)
v. 6 heaven…earth…the seas…all deep places – This listing is meant to include everything in existence.
v. 7 vapors – clouds
His treasuries – storerooms
v. 8 He destroyed the firstborn of Egypt – Beginning in this verse through verse 12, the psalmist summarizes God's works on behalf of Israel.
v. 11 Sihon king of the Amorites – recalls Israel's victories over the Canaanite kings recorded in Numbers 21
v. 13 A heritage to Israel – Although the acts of God on behalf of Israel are history, His name and "fame" for these works of saving grace and judgment will never be forgotten.
v. 14 'For the LORD' – This is a direct quote of Deuteronomy 32:36. It is entirely fitting that the psalmist would quote from Moses' song to Israel, particularly because it also emphasizes the futility of idolatry. Moses' words go on to say: "when He [the LORD] sees that their power is gone, and there is no one remaining, bond or free. He will say: 'Where are their gods, the rock in which they sought refuge?" With v. 14, the poem transitions to a closer focus on the current state of the nation. The battle with idolatry and false gods lasted for centuries and it is no surprise that the psalmist draws attention to the futility of worshipping anything or anyone but the true God.
v. 15 idols of the nations – compare with Ps. 115:4-8, a very similar criticism of idol worship
work – creation. It is ironic that men would worship as creator or savior what their own hands have made.
v. 16 have mouths, but they do not speak – commonly spoken by the prophets of the LORD against idolatry (compare Is. 42:17-18, 44:9-20)
v. 18 Those who make them are like them – The idea expressed here is: "Idols are 'zeros'; so will be those who worship them." It is a deep principle of human nature: we become like what we exalt.
v. 19 O house of Israel…Aaron…Levi! – i.e. the congregation of the faithful, the officiating priests and the Levites who serve in the Temple
v. 21 Blessed be the LORD – see Ps. 134:3 study note
Psalm 136
This thanksgiving psalm, like the ones preceding it, is firmly rooted in the worship services in the Temple. It emphasizes God's creation of the universe and his acts on behalf of Israel during the Exodus and conquering of the Promised Land. The Exodus and conquest of Canaan was, for Israel, the central instance of God's work on behalf of His chosen people, celebrated supremely in Passover.
v. 1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! –This is the defining message of faith in the face of Satan's attacks on God's character: "God is good!"
For His mercy endures forever! – This phrase was the response line chanted or shouted by the congregation as the worship leaders recited the acts of God in creation and for His people.
Mercy – abiding and steadfast grace
v. 5 To Him who by wisdom made the heavens – Prov. 8:22-31
v. 6 laid out – spread out or hammered out the earth below the "expanse of the sky" and above the waters "beneath" (Gen. 1:6-8)
v. 7 Him who made great lights – These next verses refer to the creation account in Genesis 1. The nations worshipped the moon and stars; the faith of Israel removed them from the realm of "gods" and viewed them simply as "markers" for day and night and the seasons (Gen. 1:14-18).
v. 10 who struck Egypt – Verses 10-15 review the Exodus from Egypt.
v. 12 With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm – Ex. 6:6, 13:9
v. 15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea – See Ex. 14:27; the verb in Hebrew (na'ar) means "to shake." Thus, "He shook off Pharaoh and his army" as one shakes off dust or brushes an insect from one's hand.
v. 16 who led His people through the wilderness – This verse begins a review of God's leading of Israel through the wilderness and the conquering of the Promised Land.
v. 20 Og king of Bashan – Og is described as a huge man, a descendent of the Rephaim, who were legendary for their height and size (Deut. 3:11).
v. 21 a heritage – i.e. a homestead or estate; an inheritance (also in the following verse)
v. 23 Who remembered us – This verse gives a fleeting look at a low point in Israel's history when she was at the mercy of her enemies.
in our lowly state – one could paraphrase: "when we were down for the count"
v. 25 food – lechem (Heb.) literally, bread. At the end of his song of praise, the psalmist celebrates God's mercy in providing for all of His creatures.
Prayer Focus
"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever."
Psalm 136:1
We give You thanks today, God, for You are good and merciful and full of grace.
Women's Bible Studies
It shows me God truly loves us by sending someone to teach us and give us the Word of God. It helps to keep my faith. It reminds me that I am not alone. That God has forgiven me and that I need to forgive myself. And to trust in God that God works miracles and He won't let me down and that God's love is very unselfish.
Prayer Points
- for the Lord to continue to bless these Bible studies as the women grow closer to each other and to the Lord
