Psalm 134 was obviously written for a formal worship context in the temple. There seem to be two distinct parts to this psalm. The first is a call to praise God and the second is a declaration of blessing. The Psalm calls attention to the connection between praise and blessing. To praise God is to recognise who God is; to acknowledge and celebrate his character and his greatness. In praise we also recognise the ways in which he has lovingly bound himself to us and the things he has done for us in the past. When we praise God, therefore, we position ourselves to receive his blessing. The blessing that ensues to us is not a reward for saying nice things about God. God doesn’t need to be built up and encouraged. The act of praise is for our sake. It enables us to reconnect with God and to trust him. As we praise God we turn our minds and hearts towards him. This is a vital corrective to the natural orientation of our hearts. We are habitually self-focused and habitually prone to independence and autonomy. The importance of praise is in establishing a different habit of mind and a different heart orientation. If you want to get warm you have to stand in the sun. Likewise, if you want to be warmed by the love and blessing of God you have to stand in the light of his person and character. To praise God is not just to academically recite things about God. It is to glory in and enjoy God for everything he is to us.
Praise God.
Read Psalm 134
