Ps 134 ends with a prayer: ‘may the Lord bless you from Zion, He who is the Maker of heaven and earth.’ (Ps 134:3)
The phrase ‘Maker of heaven and earth’ occurs 6 times in the Old Testament, twice more in these psalms of ascent (Ps 121:2, Ps 124:8) It’s a reminder of God’s awesome power in creation (see also Jn 1:3, Col 1:16, Heb 1:3) Every time we are reminded of God’s power in this way, we are also reminded that this affects us personally. Because God is the Maker of heaven and earth, we can be blessed. Because God is the Maker of heaven and earth, we can be helped. Because God is the Maker of heaven and earth, He is faithful. (Ps 146:6) The most explicit connection between who God is as Creator and how this affects us is found in Is 51:12-13.
We have confidence ultimately of help and blessing and faithfulness and comfort because of who God is. We can praise God and bless Him because He is the all-powerful One who rules and reigns. Isaiah asks us in Is 40:28, ‘Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.’ Because of who God is, we are given strength and enabled to soar on eagles’ wings. Because of who God is, we can have hope, even in hopeless situations. Because of who God is, we can turn our backs on despair. That’s why, no matter what our circumstances, no matter how difficult the trials are, we can carry on. The old chorus says:
‘Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know, I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.’ (Bill Gaither)