A Word from Psalm 134

Do you ever wonder if your work matters? You work hard, of course. And you do the best you can. And yet, perhaps your role feels insignificant. And even if you’ve got a position with authority and influence, you still wonder at times if you’re making a difference.

Well, I think about all the faithful, hard-working, but sometimes unrecognized folks who keep the world functioning when I read today’s word from Psalm 134. As you might know, this particular psalm is one of the “Songs of Ascent”—a collection of poems that were recited by pilgrims as they made their way to worship at the Temple in Jerusalem. And most of these “Songs of Ascent” recount God’s blessings and celebrate the goodness of the Lord. But in today’s very brief psalm, we find this:

Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord

     who minister by night in the house of the Lord.

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary

     and praise the Lord. (vs. 1-2; emphasis added)

Now, as you might imagine, “ministering by night” in the house of the Lord probably wasn’t a prime assignment. Most of what “mattered” in Israel’s worship took place during the day. And yet, God was ever-present in His house. And without the night shift, the day shift wouldn’t be very effective. And so, even these often-unrecognized workers were called to praise the Lord. And by singing this song, worshipers were reminded that their praise depended on the efforts of these unseen servants.

So today, I hope we remember that it takes all kinds of folks to do God’s work in the world. And regardless of whether or not our part in that work is big or small, seen or unseen, and influential or humble; let’s value everybody who participates in what God is doing in the world. And with gratitude for all, let’s praise the Lord together. Amen.