Psalms 133 · ESV Study Bible

When Brothers Dwell in Unity

PSALM 133 [†] Behold, how good and pleasant it is

when e brothers dwell in unity! [1]

2[†] It is like the precious f oil on g the head,

running down on the beard,

on the beard of Aaron,

running down on h the collar of his robes!

3[†] It is like i the dew of j Hermon,

which falls on k the mountains of Zion!

For there the LORD l has commanded the blessing,

life forevermore.

A Song of m Ascents.

PSALM—NOTE ON 133:3 Hermon is a high, snowcapped mountain at the northern end of the land (see note on Deut. 3:8–10); it is not clear exactly how its dew … falls on the mountains of Zion: perhaps the clouds above Hermon are pictured as dropping their moisture on Jerusalem, or perhaps “the dew of Hermon” is an idiom for “a heavy fall of dew.” In any case, the dew is crucial for the vegetation during the dry season (Gen. 27:28; Deut. 33:28; 2 Sam. 1:21; 1 Kings 17:1; Prov. 3:20; 19:12; Hos. 14:5; Hag. 1:10; Zech. 8:12), and the image conveys the thought of a fruitful land. This too was part of the covenantal ideal (cf. Deut. 28:1–14).

PSALM—NOTE ON 133:1 brothers dwell in unity. The expression appears in Gen. 13:6; 36:7, where a particular region could not support “brothers” (relatives) and their families dwelling close together. If this is the background for the psalm, then Ps. 133:1 describes a situation in which the land is fruitful enough for brothers to live nearby (perhaps a family inheritance, cf. Deut. 25:5). Since this is a Song of Ascents, the “brothers dwelling in unity” would be the fellow Israelite pilgrims gathered in Jerusalem, abiding in peace with one another. The ideal Israel is a community of true brotherhood, where the members practice mutual concern for one another; if this were achieved, it would indeed be good and pleasant. This should be the goal of church life (John 17:20–23).

PSALM—NOTE ON Psalm 133. This wisdom psalm celebrates the beauty of brothers in Israel dwelling together with two colorful similes that describe the blessedness of Israel being true to its calling (“when brothers dwell in unity”).

PSALM—NOTE ON 133:2 The first simile is the ordination oil on the head of Aaron and his descendants (cf. Ex. 30:22–33). This oil made the priests “holy,” consecrated to God’s purpose. The image means that when Israel is true to its ideal, it is displaying genuine consecration and carrying out its calling in the world.