Psalm 133

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 133

This psalm is a brief encomium on unity and brotherly love, which, if we did not see the miseries of discord among men, we should think needless; but we cannot say too much, it were well if we could say enough, to persuade people to live together in peace. Some conjecture that David penned this psalm upon occasion of the union between the tribes when they all met unanimously to make him king. It is a psalm of general use to all societies, smaller and larger, civil and sacred. Here is, I. The... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 133:1-3

Here see, I. What it is that is commended?brethren's dwelling together in unity, not only not quarrelling, and devouring one another, but delighting in each other with mutual endearments, and promoting each other's welfare with mutual services. Sometimes it is chosen, as the best expedient for preserving peace, that brethren should live asunder and at a distance from each other; that indeed may prevent enmity and strife (Gen. 13:9), but the goodness and pleasantness are for brethren to dwell... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 133

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 133 A Song of degrees of David . This psalm was penned by David, as some think when all the tribes of Israel united and chose and anointed him king over them, 2 Samuel 5:1 ; 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, 2 Samuel 19:9 ; Theodoret supposes it to be prophetic, and to have respect to the union of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 133:1

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is ,.... Aben Ezra thinks the word thing should be supplied; the thing is what follows; for brethren to dwell together in unity : which the Targum interprets of Zion and Jerusalem, as two brethren; Aben Ezra of the priests; Kimchi of the King Messiah and the priest; and Jarchi, and Kimchi's father, of the Israelites; which is best of all, especially of those who are Israelites indeed; for this is not to be understood of all mankind, who are in some... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 133:2

It is like the precious ointment upon the head ,.... The composition which Moses was ordered to make of the principal spices, and therefore called precious; and which was poured on the heads of kings and priests, when they were anointed with it, Exodus 30:23 ; that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard ; this was put upon the head of Aaron when he was anointed, and so on any other high priest, and trickled down to his beard; see Exodus 29:7 . The reasons Kimchi and Ben... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 133:3

As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion ,.... Hermon was a very high hill beyond Jordan; the Sidonians called it Sirion, and the Amorites Shenir, Deuteronomy 3:8 ; hence Shenir and Hermon are mentioned together, Song of Solomon 4:8 ; and sometimes Sion or Seon, Deuteronomy 4:48 ; and is the Zion here intended; for the dew of Hermon could never descend on the mountain of Zion near Jerusalem, which was a hundred miles distant; besides Zion was but... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 133

The comfort and benefit of the communion of saints, Psalm 133:1-3 . There are different opinions concerning this Psalm; the most probable is, that it represents the priests and Levites returned from captivity, and united in the service of God in the sanctuary. This, the preceding, and the following, appear to make one subject. In the one hundred and thirty-second, the Lord is entreated to enter his temple, and pour out his benediction; in the one hundred and thirty-third, the beautiful... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 133:1

Behold, how good and how pleasant - Unity is, according to this scripture, a good thing and a pleasant; and especially among brethren - members of the same family, of the same Christian community, and of the same nation. And why not among the great family of mankind? On the other hand, disunion is bad and hateful. The former is from heaven; the latter, from hell. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 133:2

Like the precious ointment - The composition of this holy anointing oil may be seen, Exodus 30:23 ; sweet cinnamon, sweet calamus, cassia lignea, and olive oil. The odour of this must have been very agreeable, and serves here as a metaphor to point out the exquisite excellence of brotherly love. Ran down upon the beard - The oil was poured upon the head of Aaron so profusely as to run down upon his garments. It is customary in the east to pour out the oil on the head so profusely as to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 133:3

As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion - This was not Mount Zion, ציון tsiyon , in Jerusalem, but Sion , שיאן which is a part of Hermon, see Deuteronomy 4:48 ; : "Mount Sion, which is Hermon." On this mountain the dew is very copious. Mr. Maundrell says that "with this dew, even in dry weather, their tents were as wet as if it had rained the whole night." This seems to show the strength of the comparison. For there - Where this unity is. ... read more

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