Psalm 134

by M.A. Jones, Cardiff | Category: General | Jun 1977

When the parents of the Lord Jesus went every year to Zion (Luke 2:41), the city of song and sacrifice, in company with other families for the feast of the Passover, probably they encouraged each other on the journey by singing the Songs of Ascents. On such an occasion, many a godly Israelite rabbi would have imparted to a Hebrew lad something of the glories of Zion, and many a son of the law must have looked forward to seeing "the city of our God, in His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation... Zion... the city of the great King" (Ps. 48). If what David the king had introduced was still functioning when the Lord was a boy of twelve, the singing company of worshippers in Zion would find their songs caught up in the volume of praise that was ascending to the God of heaven, the One enthroned on the praises of Israel (Ps. 22:3 RVM). Psalm 134, the crowning hallelujah of the Songs of Ascents, indicates that this service of song and praise was a constant effort on the part of those who did Him service. 1 Chronicles 9:33 supports the view that this service of song was sustained day and night by two hundred and eighty eight singers trained and supported by four thousand instrumentalists (see 1 Chron. 23:5 and 1 Chron. 25:7). Who would not have valued an opportunity to hear that! But a more glorious opportunity will be ours in a day certain to come when the Lord of the Sanctuary will be the Leader of a greater congregation than in Israel's halcyon days and we shall be there with other blood bought ones to swell His praise eternally (Heb. 2:12).

M.A. Jones, Cardiff | Jun 1977
General