Psalms 134 - Introduction

This Psalm consists of a call (Psalms 134:1-2) and a response (Psalms 134:3). The call appears to be addressed by the worshippers in the Temple to the priests and Levites whose duty it was to render the nightly service of praise to Jehovah, and their leader responds to it with a priestly blessing. The Psalm forms a fit conclusion to the collection of Pilgrim-Songs. It may have been composed after the restoration of the Temple-services by Nehemiah (Nehemiah 12:44-47). "The people," we read there, "rejoiced over the priests and the Levites that waited," lit. stood, i.e. took their part in ministering, as in Psalms 134:1. But there is no definite indication of date or occasion.