Psalms 133

A song of ascents. Of David.

1 How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.

3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

Psalms 133 Commentary

Chapter 133

The excellency of brotherly love.

- We cannot say too much, it were well if enough could be said, to persuade people to live together in peace. It is good for us, for our honour and comfort; and brings constant delight to those who live in unity. The pleasantness of this is likened to the holy anointing oil. This is the fruit of the Spirit, the proof of our union with Christ, and adorns his gospel. It is profitable as well as pleasing; it brings blessings numerous as the drops of dew. It cools the scorching heat of men's passions, as the dews cool the air and refresh the earth. It moistens the heart, and makes it fit to receive the good seed of the word, and to make it fruitful. See the proof of the excellency of brotherly love: where brethren dwell together in unity, the Lord commands the blessing. God commands the blessing; man can but beg a blessing. Believers that live in love and peace, shall have the God of love and peace with them now, and they shall shortly be with him for ever, in the world of endless love and peace. May all who love the Lord forbear and forgive one another, as God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven them.

Cross References

• 1. S Genesis 13:8; S Romans 12:10; Hebrews 13:1
• 2. John 17:11
• 3. S Exodus 29:7; Exodus 30:25
• 4. Job 29:19; Proverbs 19:12; Isaiah 18:4; Isaiah 26:19; Isaiah 45:8; Hosea 14:5; Micah 5:7
• 5. S Deuteronomy 3:8; S Deuteronomy 4:48
• 6. S Exodus 15:17; S Psalms 2:6; Psalms 74:2
• 7. S Leviticus 25:21; Deuteronomy 28:8
• 8. S Psalms 21:4; Psalms 42:8

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 133

\\<>\\. This psalm was penned by David, as some think when all the tribes of Israel united and chose and anointed him king over them, 2Sa 5:1-3; but, according to others, when the rebellion of his son Absalom was quelled, and all the tribes of Israel strove who should first bring back the king, and show the greatest zeal and loyalty to him, 2Sa 19:9,10,14; Theodoret supposes it to be prophetic, and to have respect to the union of the tribes after the Babylonish captivity, who had been disunited in the times of Rehoboam, but now were no more two nations and kingdoms, but one; see Eze 37:16-22; and others carry it further still, even to the first times of the Gospel, when the Christians were of one heart and of one soul, Ac 4:32; it may indeed be applied to any community, civil or religious, that is in peace and unity: and no doubt the design of David was to promote peace and harmony among his subjects; and love and affection in his family, among his children, brethren one of another, and of Solomon; who was to be his heir and successor, and under whose government it would be well for them to live peaceably and quietly. Kimchi and Ben Melech refer the psalm to the times of the Messiah, and take it to be a prediction of the peace and concord between the King Messiah and the priest, of which Zerubbabel and Joshua were types; see Zec 6:13. The inscription of the Syriac version is, ``it is said of Moses and of Aaron, who dwelt in the tabernacle, in the house of the Lord; and there is an intimation in it of the perfect people,'' the Christians in Gospel times.