Psalm 133

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 133:2

(2) It is like.—The italics of the Authorised Version are wrongly inserted. Unity could not be said to flow down. The other term of the simile is implied in Psalms 133:3. (See Note.) Literally, Like the oil, the good oil, on the head descending upon the beard, Aaron’s beard, which (was) descending to the mouth of his robes. Oil meets us as the standing symbol of joy and festivity. (See Psalms 45:7, Note; Isaiah 61:3.) It is also brought closely into connection with love (Song of Solomon 1:3).... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 133:3

(3) As the dew . . .—Better, keeping the same word as in Psalms 133:2. like the dew of Hermon, which descended on the Mount Zion. This statement of the dew of a mountain in the north descending on a mountain in the south, appears so strange and impossible that our version inserted the words, “and as the dew.” But the sentence is constructed in exactly the same form as Psalms 133:2, and the dew on Mount Zion must be as clearly the same dew as that on Mount Hermon, as the oil running down to the... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Psalms 133:1-3

Psalms 133:0 The American Greely Expedition went into their winter house in 1881, amid the eternal ice and snow of the Arctic Circle, with a night before them of four months and a half. They arranged their reckoning of time so as to keep their Sabbath, and have a religious service, including the reading of the Psalms. The first Sabbath contained Psalm CXXXIII., and the Commander brought before the men the duty of brotherly feeling, and his hope that every one would endeavour to cherish a... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 133:1-3

Psalms 133:1-3IT is natural to suppose that this psalm was occasioned by, or at least refers to, the gathering of the pilgrims or restored exiles in Jerusalem. The patriot-poet’s heart glows at the sight of the assembled multitudes, and he points with exultation to the good and fair sight. Like the other short psalms in this group, this one is the expression of a single thought-the blessing of unity, and that not merely as shown in the family, but in the church state of the restored Israel. The... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Psalms 133:1-3

Psalm 120-134 The Psalms of Degrees Fifteen brief Psalms follow, called songs of degrees, or, ascents. They were in all probability used by Israel going up to Jerusalem three times a year to celebrate the feasts of the Lord--”Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, a testimony for Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.” They are indeed Psalms of “the goings-up” for we rise higher and higher as we read through them. Prophetically they give us again the steps from trial and... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 133:1

133:1 [A Song of degrees of David.] Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] for brethren to dwell {a} together in unity!(a) Because the greatest part was against David, though some favoured him, yet when he was established king at length, they joined all together like brothers: and therefore he shows by these similarities the convenience of brotherly love. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 133:2

133:2 [It is] like the precious {b} ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, [even] Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;(b) The ointment was a figure of the graces which come from Christ the head of his Church. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 133:3

133:3 As the dew of {c} Hermon, [and as the dew] that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for {d} there the LORD commanded the blessing, [even] life for evermore.(c) By Hermon and Zion he means the plentiful country about Jerusalem.(d) Where there is such concord. read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Psalms 133:1-3

This group is differentiated by the title attached to each: “A Song of Degrees” or “A Song of Ascents.” The title seems derived from the going up of the people to Jerusalem at the great festivals which came three times a year. (Compare Deuteronomy 16:16 ; 1 Kings 12:27-28 , etc.); the thought being that they chanted the psalms at different stages in their journey. The pertinency of this application of these psalms is more apparent in some than others. For example, Psalms 121:0 represents the... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Psalms 133:1

CONTENTS Our old Bibles make a very brief account in summing up the contents of this Psalm, but they say a vast deal in few words; they call it The benefit of the communion of saints! And indeed the church being one in Christ, and with Christ, nothing can be more evident, than that this is the whole scope of it. A Song of Degrees of David. Psalms 133:0 Reader! first behold Jesus in this Psalm. He is the glorious Head, from whose life-giving, soul-awakening, soul-cleansing, soul-transforming,... read more

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 133:2

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 133:3

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Psalms 133:1-3

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 133:1-3

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Psalms 133:1-3

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 133:1

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 133:2

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 133:3

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Psalms 133:1-3

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Psalms 133:1

Verse of the Day

Daily Devotional

Group of Brands