John Calvin Commentary Psalms 134:1

"Behold, bless ye Jehovah, all ye servants of Jehovah, That by night stand in the house of Jehovah." — Psalms 134:1 (ASV)

Behold! bless ye Jehovah. Some interpreters think that others besides the Levites are intended here, and it must be granted, at least, that some of the more zealous of the people remained overnight in the Temple, as we read (Luke 2:37) of Anna, a widow, who served God constantly with prayers night and day. But it is evident from the close of the Psalm that the inspired author addresses priests only, 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.

It would appear then that the Levites are here called servants of God from the functions they discharged, being specially appointed, by turns, to watch by night in the Temple, as we read in the inspired history (Leviticus 8:35). The Psalm begins with the demonstrative adverb Behold! setting the matter of their duty before their eyes, for they were to be stimulated to devotion by looking constantly to the Temple.

We should notice the Psalmist’s design in urging the duty of praise so earnestly upon them. Many of the Levites, through the tendency in all people to abuse ceremonies, considered that nothing more was necessary than standing idly in the Temple, and thus overlooked the principal part of their duty.

The Psalmist aimed to show that merely to keep nightly watch over the Temple, kindle the lamps, and superintend 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 laborious service, as if he had said, to stand at watch in the Temple while others sleep in their own houses; but the worship which God requires is something more excellent than this and demands of you to sing his praises before all the people.

In the second verse, he further reminds them of the form observed in calling upon the name of the Lord. For why do people lift their hands when they pray? Is it not that their hearts may be raised at the same time to God? Thus, the Psalmist rebukes their carelessness in either standing idle in the Temple, or trifling and indulging in vain conversation, and thus failing to worship God in a proper manner.