*H A gradual canticle. Behold now bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord: Who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.
Ver. 1. Canticle. David composed it for the Levites going on duty, (H.) or Solomon for the dedication of the temple. The people might use it on the last day of the three great festivals; or the Levites are exhorted to watch carefully. They may excite each other, (v. 2. C.) as all Christians should do. 1 Pet. ii. 9. Bert. — In the courts, &c. seems to be taken from Ps. cxxxiv. 2. (C.) as it is not in Heb. S. Hil. — The court of the people was divided for the men and women, and perhaps there was a separate place for the priests, and for the Levites, in the court of allotted to them, where the latter kept watch. C.
*H In the nights lift up your hands to the holy places, and bless ye the Lord.
Ver. 2. Lift up. This posture was very natural, and expressive. 1 Tim. ii. 8. H. — Agatharcides testifies, that the Jews did no servile work on the sabbath, but "stretched forth their hands to pray in the temple, till the evening." Joseph. con. App. 1.
*H May the Lord out of Sion bless thee, he that made heaven and earth.
Ver. 3. Thee. "A Levite on guard answers the cantor," (Houbig.) or the priests say this to the people, when they were departing home. Num. vi. 23. C. — Earth. All things were made to praise God. W.