The gatekeepers and their descendants {\cf2\super [94]} had the responsibility of guarding the gates of the Lord’s house, the Holy Tent.
Psalm 134:1 - Easy To Read Version Praise the Lord, all of his servants!\par You servants served in the temple all night.\par Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 Behold, bless ye the LORD, All ye servants of the LORD, Which by night stand in the house of the LORD. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition BEHOLD, BLESS (affectionately and gratefully praise) the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, [singers] who by night stand in the house of the Lord. [I Chron. 9:33.] American Standard Version (1901) Behold, bless ye Jehovah, all ye servants of Jehovah, That by night stand in the house of Jehovah. Common English Bible All you who serve the LORD: bless the LORD right now! All you who minister in the LORD’s house at night: bless God! Catholic Public Domain Version Alleluia. Praise the name of the Lord. You servants, praise the Lord. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version Alleluia. Praise ye the name of the Lord: O you his servants, praise the Lord: |
The gatekeepers and their descendants {\cf2\super [94]} had the responsibility of guarding the gates of the Lord’s house, the Holy Tent.
They stayed up all night guarding God’s temple. And they had the job of opening God’s temple every morning.
The Levites that were singers and leaders of their families stayed in the rooms at the temple. {\cf2\super [101]} They did not have to do other work because they were responsible for the work in the temple day and night.
So my sons, {\cf2\super [340]} don’t be lazy or waste any more time. The Lord chose you to serve him. \{He chose you\} to serve him \{in the temple\} and to burn incense.”
Stand in the Holy Place {\cf2\super [443]} with a group of Levites. Do this for each different family group of the people so you can help them.
Bakbukiah and Unni were the relatives of those Levites. These two men stood across from them in the services.
Praise the Lord, all his armies. {\cf2\super [540]} \par You are his servants.\par You do the things that God wants.\par
Praise the Lord!\par Servants of the Lord, praise him!\par Praise the Lord’s name.\par
I was in trouble.\par I called to the Lord for help.\par And he saved me!\par
I look up to the hills \{for help\}.\par But where will my help really come from?\par
I was very happy when people said,\par “Let us go to the Lord’s temple. {\cf2\super [611]} ”\par
What would have happened to us\par if the Lord had not been on our side?\par Tell me the answer, Israel.\par
People who trust in the Lord\par will be like Mount Zion.\par They will never be shaken.\par They will continue forever.\par
If it is not the Lord that builds a house,\par the builder is wasting his time.\par If it is not the Lord that watches over a city,\par the guards are wasting their time.\par
All of the Lord’s followers are happy.\par Those people live the way God wants.\par
I am waiting for my Master.\par I am like guards waiting and waiting for the morning to come.\par
Lord, I am not proud.\par I don’t try to act important.\par I don’t try to do great things.\par I don’t worry about things\par that are too hard for me.\par
Oh how good and pleasant it is\par when brothers can sit together,\par truly united!\par
People coming to the temple\par with songs in their heart\par are very happy!\par
You must stay at the entrance of the Meeting Tent day and night for seven days. If you don’t obey the Lord’s commands, then you will die! The Lord gave me those commands.”
Then her husband died and she lived alone. She was now 84 years old. Anna was always at the temple; she never left. She worshiped God by fasting {\cf2\super [40]} and praying day and night.
At that time the Lord separated the family group of Levi from the other family groups for his special work. They had the work of carrying the Lord’s Box of the Agreement. [58] They also served as priests before the Lord. And they had the work of blessing people in the Lord’s name. They still do this special work today.
So now these people are before the throne of God. They worship God day and night in his temple. {\cf2\super [60]} And the One (God) who sits on the throne will protect them.