This psalm was perhaps penned when David appointed the orders of the Priests and Levites, 1 Chron. 23, 26. In it we have, (1.) The sacred watchers of the temple stirred up, to employ their time in praising God, ver. 1-2. (2.) A fervent prayer for the blessing of God on them, or on others, ver. 3.
While I am in Christ's church, let me provoke myself and others to love, and to good works.
1 A Song of degrees. Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.
3 The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.
1 Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye
that his attendants are,
Ev'n you that in God's temple be,
and praise him nightly there.
2 Your hands within God's holy place
lift up, and praise his name.
3 From Sion' hill the Lord thee bless,
that heav'n and earth did frame.
Creator of heaven and earth, however it be that the affairs and cares of this world do greatly trouble, molest, and avert us from rendering unto thee that honour and obedience, which is due unto thee: yet we beseech thee, that forgetting all other things: we may have no other butt, but to praise and glorify thee all the days of our life, for the great benefits, which we continually receive at thy hands, through Jesus Christ our Lord.