A Journey of Worship: Psalm 133-134

A Journey of Worship:
​The Psalms of Ascent

In ancient times, the Israelites took journeys to the temple in Jerusalem to worship. These were sacred occasions during yearly festivals. Their journeys included singing the Songs of Ascent, a collection of Psalms 120-134. These songs reminded them of God's grace and mercy. They also reminded them of His provision, protection, and salvation. These reminders were especially comforting during challenging times. 

Today, our places of worship are much closer, but we can still learn from this ancient practice. We still need to be reminded of God's goodness and these 15 Psalms do just that!

​Read more about A Journey of Worship: The Psalms of Ascent Bible Study here.

GRAB YOUR COPY OF A JOURNEY OF WORSHIP: THE PSALMS OF ASCENT HERE

In this 3-part Bible study, A Journey of Worship: The Psalms of Ascent,  we'll take a deep dive into each of these 15 Psalms. The study offers comfort, calm, and hope for the various situations we face.

As pilgrims on the journey of life, we find courage in God's strength as we seek His guidance. We look forward to our ultimate destination of eternal worship of the One true God. This is our journey of worship!

Join me today as we dive into A Journey of Worship.

​“Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down on the collar of his robes!
It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
life forevermore.” Psalm 133

When Believers Dwell in Unity

Psalm 133 is a brief yet powerful Psalm that extols the virtues of unity among believers. It paints a vivid picture of the goodness that results when people dwell together in harmony. Let's explore the profound message of this Psalm. Let's uncover its timeless wisdom for our lives today.
 
The Psalm begins in verse 1 with this resounding declaration: "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!" It highlights the inherent beauty and desirability of unity among people. When we come together, set aside differences, and pursue a shared goal, it creates harmony. Unity and harmony have the power to transform relationships! But not just individual relationships. It can also transform communities and even the world around us!

To illustrate the beauty of unity, the psalmist uses two powerful metaphors in verses 2-3. The first metaphor likens unity to the precious oil that was poured on the head of Aaron, the high priest of Israel. This anointing oil symbolized consecration, blessing, and divine favor. Just as the oil flowed down Aaron's beard and robes, unity brings a cascading effect of blessing. Unity and harmony enrich every aspect of our lives. The second metaphor compares unity to the dew that descends on Mount Hermon. This dew nourishes the mountains of Zion. Dew represents freshness, abundance, and life-giving moisture. Similarly, unity refreshes and rejuvenates relationships. It creates an atmosphere where love, understanding, and support flourish. It is in the context of unity that God's blessings are poured out upon His people.

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The Psalm concludes by emphasizing that it is in the space of unity that the Lord commands His blessing. Unity aligns with God's heart and purposes. When we come together in unity, we invite His presence and favor into our midst. God delights in seeing His children united. He pours out abundant blessings, not only in the present but also for eternity.
 
Psalm 133 offers us a powerful reminder of the profound impact of unity and harmony in our lives. When we choose to set aside differences, extend grace, and pursue it, we reflect God's heart. Unity brings a transformative power that enriches relationships. Unity also enriches communities and even our own spiritual journey.
 
As believers, we're called to strive for unity and harmony, not just among other believers. We're also called to pursue these things in our families, workplaces, and communities. These spaces quite often include people who are not believers. When we dwell in unity in these places, we become a testimony to the world of God's love and power. Our unity becomes a catalyst for transformation! This in itself draws others to experience the goodness of God. Let's strive to live a life of pleasantness, unity, and harmony. Let's commit ourselves to cultivate unity. As we do, we will recognize that it requires humility and patience. It also demands a willingness to prioritize relationships over differences. As we pursue unity, may we be vessels through which God's blessings flow. May He, through us, impact lives bringing glory to His name.
 
In a world longing for unity and peace, may we be the ambassadors of such things. May we champion reconciliation, demonstrating the beauty and power of unity. May we follow the example of Christ, who prayed that we may all be one. Together, let's celebrate the goodness and pleasantness of unity. Let's remind ourselves that in unity, we reflect the heart of our loving God.

“Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
who stand by night in the house of the Lord!
Lift up your hands to the holy place
and bless the Lord!
May the Lord bless you from Zion,
He who made Heaven and earth!” Psalm 134

Come, Bless the Lord

Psalm 134 is a short but powerful Psalm. This Psalm serves as a beautiful conclusion to the collection of psalms we know as the Songs of Ascents. It is a call to bless and worship the Lord, inviting all His servants to join in praise and adoration. As we dive into the depths of this Psalm, we'll discover the significance of worship. We'll see the blessing of the Lord and the transformative impact worship will have on our lives.
 
The Psalm begins with an exhortation in verse 1. "Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord!" It is an invitation to the dedicated servants of God, those who faithfully serve in the temple. However, this call extends beyond them; it reaches out to all who serve the Lord—even us. It reminds us that regardless of our roles or circumstances, we are called to bless and worship the Lord. We're called to worship Him with our whole hearts. This is our journey to worship!
 
In verse 2, the psalmist encourages the lifting of hands to the holy place and the blessing of the Lord. Lifting hands is a physical expression of surrender, reverence, and praise. It symbolizes an open and receptive posture. It acknowledges God's sovereignty and our dependence on Him. When we lift our hands in worship, we align our hearts with the sacred space of God's presence. We also invite His blessings to flow into our lives.

The Psalm concludes with a blessing from the Lord in verse 3. "May the Lord bless you from Zion, He who made Heaven and earth!" It is a reminder that our worship of the Lord is reciprocated by His abundant blessings upon us. As we pour out our adoration and gratitude, God responds by pouring out His grace, favor, and provision. This divine exchange deepens our connection with God. It also opens the door to experiencing His blessings in our lives.
 
Psalm 134 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of worship. It also reminds us of the significance of gratitude in our relationship with God. This Psalm calls us to bless the Lord with all that we are. It implores us to acknowledge His goodness, faithfulness, and sovereignty. 

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When we lift our hands and hearts to God, we position ourselves to receive His abundant blessings. As servants of the Lord, we are invited to be partakers in this beautiful exchange. It's an exchange of worship and blessing. Through our worship, we declare God's worthiness and magnify His name. In return, He showers His blessings on us. He meets our needs, granting us His peace, and filling our lives with His presence.

​Let's embrace the invitation of Psalm 134. Let's come together as a community of believers to bless the Lord. May our worship be genuine and wholehearted, offered with gratitude and awe. As we lift our hands and voices in praise, let's anticipate His overflowing blessings. God, the Creator of Heaven and earth, desires to pour these blessings out upon us. Fill my cup, Lord! I lift it up, Lord.
 
In our daily lives, let's remember that worship is not confined to a specific time or place. It's a continuous posture of our hearts. As we cultivate a lifestyle of worship, we align ourselves with God's purposes. In this space, we experience the transformative power of His presence.
 
So, let us respond to the call of Psalm 134. Let's join together to bless the Lord with joyful hearts, lifted hands, and voices united in praise. May our lives be a living testament to His goodness! May we continue to be recipients of His blessings, now and forevermore. Let's journey to worship!

How will you pray the ​Songs of Ascent today?

A Journey of Worship: The Psalms of Ascent Prayer Guide

Each chapter of A Journey of Worship includes a thoughtfully-curated prayer. I love praying Scripture, and I believe you will as well. You can instantly download all 15 prayers from our Etsy site.

GRAB YOUR COPY OF A JOURNEY OF WORSHIP PRAYER GUIDE HERE

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