Night Watchmen

Psalm 134.

Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.

The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.

I didn’t grow up in a church in which lifting one’s hands in prayer or praise was practiced. It is indisputable in God’s Word that He not only allows it, but encourages it. It is certainly a form of acknowledging His authority, power, love, grace, and mercy. Still, it isn’t comfortable for me to do so in church. What I do in private is very different, and very personal.

Clearly, part of the Levitical duties included appointed night watchmen who stood at the doors, or perhaps posted throughout the Temple, to guard it during the night. This short psalm would indicate that while they went about their duties, the watchmen were also to spend time raising their hands to God in prayer and praise. I wonder if they did that individually, or if it was done at appointed times when they gathered together as they did their guard duties. Did they sing together? I would love to have heard that!

Here’s an interesting quote:

“We read, 1 Chronicles 9:33, that the Levitical singers were ‘employed in their work day and night;’ to the end, doubtless, that the earthly sanctuary might bear some resemblance of that above, where, St. John tells us, the redeemed ‘are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in the temple.’ Revelation 7:15.”

Horne, BlueLetterBible