Bible Commentaries
Psalms 133

Verse 1

Title. A Song of degrees. Same as 120. The three subjects of the three Psalms of this last group are merged in blessing.

of David = by David. Hezekiah found this Psalm exactly suited for his purpose. David wrote it on the experience of a similar blessing of "unity, "when "all Israel" were united "as the heart of ONE MAN "(2 Samuel 19:9 , 2 Samuel 19:14 ). It was the same with Hezekiah. Read 2 Chronicles 30:5 , 2 Chronicles 30:6 , 2Ch 30:11 , 2 Chronicles 30:18 , and note the "ONE HEART" ( Psa 133:12 ). See App-67 .

Behold. The word of the Holy Spirit; as "yea" is of the Father; and "verily" of the Son. Note the Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

how good. This was manifested in 2 Chronicles 30:25 , 2 Chronicles 30:26 .

unity = one. The reference is to the "one man" of 2 Samuel 19:14 (David), and the "one heart" of 2 Chronicles 30:12 (Hezekiah). Hebrew. yahad (not 'ehad. See note on Deuteronomy 6:4 . Compare Josephus ( Antiquities ix. 13, 2).

Verse 2

ointment = oil (Exodus 30:23-25 ).

ran down = descended. Exodus 29:7 . Leviticus 8:12 ; Leviticus 21:10 .

went down = descended, as in Psalms 133:3 .

to the skirts, &c. = to the opening of his robes (see Exodus 28:32 ). Hebrew = mouth (or opening).

Verse 3

As = [It is] like, as in Psalms 133:2 .

And as the dew. Omit these italics.

descended. Compare Psalms 133:2 .

Zion. The dew (or copious summer night mist) was one. The same dew descended on Zion in the south as on Hermon in the north. Zion's dew represents the tribe of Judah. Hermon's dew represents Asher, Ephraim, Manasseh, Zebulon, Issachar (2 Chronicles 30:11 , 2 Chronicles 30:18 , 2 Chronicles 30:25 , 2 Chronicles 30:26 ). The idea is not in the motion of this dew, from Hermon to Zion, but in its uniting both in its copious descent.

there. Compare Deuteronomy 12:5 , Deuteronomy 12:11 , Deuteronomy 12:14 , Deuteronomy 12:18 , Deuteronomy 12:21 .Psalms 128:5 ; Psalms 134:3 ; Psalms 133:0 is blessing in Zion; Psalms 132:0 is blessing for Zion ; Psalms 134:0 is blessing from Zion.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .