Reflections on Psalm 134

Psalms 134 (Contemporary English Version)


1. (A song for worship.) Everyone who serves the LORD, come and offer praises. Everyone who has gathered in his temple tonight,
   
2. lift your hands in prayer toward his holy place and praise the LORD.
   
3. The LORD is the Creator of heaven and earth, and I pray that the LORD will bless you from Zion.
   

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This is the last in a collection of fifteen psalms called "Songs of Degrees," and serves somewhat as a doxology for the collection. Some suggest it might have actually been used at the conclusion of a temple service "giving exhortation to the priests and Levites who kept the nightly watch in the temple." (Adam Clark's Commentary) The first verse could certainly lend itself to this conclusion. Others consider it a summons to praise. It is certainly that whether or not it was for those who kept nightly watch in the temple. We are summoned to lift our hands and praise the Lord, who is Maker of heaven and earth. Included is a prayer that He may bless those who praise Him.

As I reflect on this psalm I find the focus of my attention to be on the phrase, "Maker of heaven and earth." The One who is Maker of heaven and earth is worthy of my praise and my worship. He is also the source of my blessings. Again, I am struck with how key it is that we recognize God as the Creator. Take that factor away and what kind of a god do you have? Is he worthy of your worship? Is he even capable of providing blessings? It is the foundation of our understanding of God - who and what He is. The scientific community these days seems intent on pointing the source of creation away from God as if they had compelling evidence leading us to believe there is another source. However, it seems more an agenda than science. So many in this community become so impassioned against any suggestion of an Intelligent Designer that one has to wonder if science isn't being used as a crutch to support their religious views.