Psalms — Chapter 133

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1Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

2It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

3As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

1Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!

2It is like the precious oil upon the head, That ran down upon the beard, Even Aaron`s beard; That came down upon the skirt of his garments;

3Like the dew of Hermon, That cometh down upon the mountains of Zion: For there Jehovah commanded the blessing, Even life for evermore. Psalm 134 A Song of Ascents.

1A song of ascents; by David. Look! How good and how pleasant it is when brothers truly live in unity.

2It is like fine oil poured on the head, which flows down the beard— Aaron’s beard, and then flows down his garments.

3It is like the dew of Hermon, which flows down upon the hills of Zion. Indeed, that is where the Lord has decreed a blessing will be available—eternal life.

1See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!

2It is like the precious oil on the head, that ran down on the beard, even Aaron’s beard; that came down on the edge of his robes;

3like the dew of Hermon, that comes down on the hills of Zion: for there Yahweh gives the blessing, even life forever more.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

A Song of Ascents of David — 'Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!'; like precious oil on Aaron's head, like dew on Hermon — there the LORD commands blessing and life.

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Song of Ascents / Wisdom Psalm Attributed Author: David (superscription: "A Song of degrees of David") Key Themes: The goodness of unity, anointing that flows from head to body, refreshing dew from above, commanded blessing, brethren dwelling together
Historical Context: Psalm 133 is one of the most beloved short psalms — only 3 verses celebrating the beauty of UNITY among God's people. When pilgrims from all twelve tribes gathered in Jerusalem for festivals, this psalm captured the joy of togetherness. David (who unified the kingdom after years of civil war) was uniquely qualified to praise unity. The two images — anointing oil flowing down Aaron's beard and Hermon's dew descending on Zion — both move DOWNWARD: blessing flows from above onto the gathered community. Where unity exists, God COMMANDS blessing. Unity doesn't earn blessing; it's where God designates it.
Structure:
  • Declaration: How Good Unity Is (v.1)
  • Image 1: Anointing Oil (v.2)
  • Image 2: Hermon's Dew (v.3a)
  • God Commands Blessing There (v.3b)

Map & Geography

  • Zion (v.3): The hill on which Jerusalem/the Temple stood; often used poetically for God's dwelling.

Videos

The Bible Project — Psalms Overview

Reflection

  • 1. Unity is both good AND pleasant (v.1). Not just doctrinally correct but genuinely enjoyable. If your community has truth without pleasantness, something is missing.
  • 2. Unity flows down from the head (v.2). True unity starts with the Head (Christ) and flows to the body. It's not manufactured from below but received from above.
  • 3. God COMMANDS blessing where there's unity (v.3). Want to know where God sends blessing? Where His people dwell together. If you want commanded blessing, pursue unity.
  • 4. Only 3 verses — because unity is simple, not complicated. We complicate what God made beautiful. Dwell together. That's it.