3. there—that is, in Zion, the Church; the material Zion, blessed with enriching dews, suggests this allusion the source of the influence enjoyed by the spiritual Zion. commanded the blessing—(Compare Psalms 68:28). read more
1. The desirability of unity 133:1The psalmist called the Israelites to consider the beauty of the unity of brethren. He said it is essentially good and it is a pleasant condition. The brethren in view were believers in Israel. This was an appropriate thought for pilgrims to entertain as they anticipated meeting other worshippers in Jerusalem shortly. read more
Psalms 133This wisdom psalm is a classic description of the beauty of believers’ unity."Psalms 133 reflects Israel’s capacity to appreciate the common joys of life and to attribute them to the well-ordered generosity of Yahweh." [Note: Brueggemann, p. 48.] read more
The writer compared brotherly unity to the oil that Moses poured over Aaron’s head when he anointed him as Israel’s first high priest (Leviticus 8:12). That oil flowed down over his head and beard, and down onto the robe and breastplate that bore the names of the 12 Israelite tribes. As the consecrating oil covered everything, so unity among believers makes them acceptable to God as a kingdom of priests."The specific reference to ’Aaron’ should not be limited to him, as the whole priesthood was... read more
2. The descriptions of unity 133:2-3 read more
Mt. Hermon to the north of Israel was the highest mountain in the land. As such it enjoyed unusually heavy dew. Dew was a great blessing in the parched land of Israel. As the dew freshened and invigorated Mt. Hermon, so the blessing of unity among believing Israelites would refresh and invigorate Mt. Zion as they gathered for worship there.When unity characterizes believers, they can perform priestly work with divine approval, and they can enjoy God’s blessings of refreshment and fertility. read more
An exquisite gem of song describing the blessings of unity—suitable for a pilgrim song, when rich and poor, priest and peasant, might fraternise with Zion in sight.2. Precious ointment] better, ’goodly oil.’ It is doubtful whether the second relative clause is parallel to the first referring to the oil, or whether it refers to Aaron’s beard. The Heb., like the AV, can be interpreted either way. It is probably best to take it as referring to the oil. So LXX takes it. The idea is to emphasise the... read more
CXXXIII.The unity, which is in a manner so truly Oriental, eulogised in this poem, is not mere brotherhood, not political or even religious union generally, but unity at Zion, as the last clause of the beautiful little poem convincingly proves. Nor is it, as most commentators assume, the gathering of the pilgrims at the yearly feast, appropriate though the song would be for such a gathering, and adapted, or at all events arranged, as it doubtless was, for it. The “blessing” (see Psalms 133:3),... read more
(1) In unity.—Better, altogether. The Hebrew particle gam, here used with the word “together,” is in our version sometimes rendered “yea,” when it plainly should be taken with the adjective to intensify it exactly like our “all.” (See, for instance, Psalms 25:3; 2 Samuel 19:30.) The common idiom, gam shenayîm, “all two” (i.e., both), exactly like the French tous deux, and the German alle beide, decides this. Many commentators, rendering also together, see an emphasis on the gathering for the... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 133:1
1, 2. As the fragrant oil is refreshing, so this affords delight. The holy anointing oil for the high priest was olive oil mixed with four of the best spices (Exodus 30:22; Exodus 30:25; Exodus 30:30). Its rich profusion typified the abundance of the Spirit's graces. As the copious dew, such as fell on Hermon, falls in fertilizing power on the mountains of Zion, so this unity is fruitful in good works. read more