The end of the journey with God is unmitigated goodness. We see this in Psalm 134, a celebration psalm, which invites us to focus our lives on blessing God, so that our lives are a blessing from God.
SERMON OUTLINE
“Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord.” (Psalm 134:1)
Bless the Lord (vs 1)
- “Come…”
- The invitation one to another
Praise the Holy God with holy hands (vs 2)
- “Lift up your hands…”
- “In the sanctuary…” or “the holy place…
Blessed by the Lord (vs 3)
- Blessed from Zion
- Blessed by the Maker of heaven and earth
Trailblazing with God
- Living to bless God and living blessed by God
- Living the call and living the response
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- When have you been most motivated to praise God in your life? What lead you to that point?
- This weekend we conclude our “Ascend” series by studying Psalm 134. Begin your study by waiting on the Lord. Take a minute or two to quiet yourself, then ask God to speak to you during this time. Next, read Psalm 134 aloud.
- Psalm 134 is one of the shortest of the Psalms of Ascent, but provides a focused end to the journey of these psalms. The psalm pulsates with the theme praise the Lord or bless the Lord. Why do you think this theme is a fitting conclusion to the ascents journey?
- It is likely that Psalm 134 was a call and response from the congregation of people and the Levitical priests serving in the Temple day and night (see 1 Chronicles 25 and Deuteronomy 10:8). They may have grown weary during their night duties. When have you felt weary in serving or praising the Lord? How have others helped you persevere like the congregation speaking to the Levites here?
- Lifting up holy hands in the holy place (or sanctuary) was a sign of being set apart unto God (see 1 Timothy 2:8). Why do you think this phrase is here and what does it mean?
- While the first two verses speak of praising/blessing God, the final verse speaks of God blessing His people. What would you say is the difference between our blessing of God and God’s blessing of us?
- What is one or two things that God has been speaking to you through this journey through the Psalms of Ascent? If you are on your own, write it down and pray about it. If you are in a small group, take time to discuss this with one another before praying together.