Bible Commentaries
Psalms 133

Verse 1

1. The desirability of unity 133:1

The 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.

Verses 1-3

Psalms 133

This 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.]

Verse 2

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 anointed with oil. Here Aaron is the ’head’ of the priestly clan. His name is representative of all the priests." [Note: VanGemeren, p. 816.]

Verses 2-3

2. The descriptions of unity 133:2-3

Verse 3

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.