254 TH. BOOIJ As stated before, the text of Psalm 135 is connected to that of the Songs of Ascents. Psalm 136 again is clearly related to its predecessor. By their traditional formulations, their “theological” slant and concrete historical references 59, Psalms 135 and 136 differ from Psalms 120–134 nevertheless. The difference suggests a difference in usage. While there is reason to believe that the Songs of Ascents were sung in the ascents to the sanctuary, Psalm 135, in view of its opening and its ending, and Psalm 136, in view of its refrain, must be fully liturgical compositions. They were used then in the festival liturgy as carried out in the temple at the great “feast of YHWH” (Lev 23,39) 60. The connection between ascent and temple liturgy, too, is reflected in the texts. Both when the ascent has ended and when the temple liturgy has started, the worshippers are “standing in the house of YHWH”, that is, in the temple court (Ps 134,1; 135,2). While still ascending, they taste a thing “good” and “pleasant”: fraternal togetherness in Zion (Ps 133,1.3). In the temple they praise Him who himself is “good”, whose name is “ pleasant ” (Ps 135,3). The concluding psalms of praise, although related by their tenor and content, differ from one another again. In Psalm 135 the praise of God is denoted by the verbs llh pi. (“praise”, vv. 1, 3, 21) en Èrb pi. and qal (“bless”, vv. 19-21), both characteristic of proper hymnic style. Accordingly, the psalm emphasizes YHWH’s greatness, contrasting it with the idols’ futility. The verb hdy hi., denoting the praise in Psalm 136 (vv. 1-3, 26), is typical of thanksgiving songs 61. In accordance with this, the psalm emphasizes what YHWH has done for Israel, confessing his goodness in a continually reiterated refrain. There can be no doubt that in post- (hnyç –yawr wnyyh al). Apparently the festal meetings were held not only on the first day of the festival, but also on following days, excepting sabbath. A similar situation is supposed in Ps 134,1, stating that YHWH’s “servants” (worshippers) are standing in his house “in the nights, by night” (twlylb). Consequently, the Songs of Ascents are likely to have been recited on successive festival days. For historical references in the Songs of Ascents see Pss 124, 126, 129. 59 TAYLOR in “Psalms”, 694, too, relates Pss 135 and 136 to the temple 60 liturgy of Sukkoth. See e.g. Pss 9,2; 18,50; 30,13; also 28,7; 35,18; 42,6.12. See further 61 CRÜSEMANN, Formgeschichte, 210-284. The statement also applies to Ps 118 (a liturgical Collective Song of Thanksgiving).