Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
Psalms 133:2

Clarke's Commentary

Verse 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 reach every limb.

Bridgeway Bible Commentary

Psalm 132 -134 A house of prayer for Israel

A visit to the temple is a fitting occasion to recall the origins of the temple. David, with much difficulty, brought the ark (or covenant box) to Jerusalem with the aim of building God a house (132:1-5; cf. 2 Samuel 6:3-13; 2 Samuel 7:1-3; see also introductory notes to Psalms 24:0). Previously the ark had been at Kiriath-jearim, also known as Baale-judah and here called ‘the fields of Jaar’. David therefore went from Bethlehem (Ephrathah) to Kiriath-jearim to collect the ark and bring it to Jerusalem (6-9; see 2 Samuel 6:2,2 Samuel 6:14-19; 1 Chronicles 13:5; 1 Chronicles 13:5).

Although David wanted to build God a house in Jerusalem, God wanted to do something far greater for David. God wanted to build David a house in Jerusalem; not a house of stone, but a line of royal descendants to rule from Zion where the living God dwelt (10-14; cf. 2 Samuel 7:4-16). God would give his people all they needed for healthy lives, physically and spiritually (15-16). He would give the Davidic king power, prosperity, victory and glory (17-18).

The psalmist rejoices to see Israelites from all parts of the country worshipping together in unity in Jerusalem. He considers it a precious sight, having a pleasantness that he likens to the perfume of the sweet-smelling oils used to anoint Israel’s high priest. It has a freshness like the dew that falls on Mount Hermon (133:1-3).
At the end of the day’s festival activities, the worshippers wish the priests and Levites good-night on a note of praise to God (134:1-2). The priests and Levites respond by wishing the worshippers God’s blessing (3). This concludes the fifteen Songs of Ascents.

Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! It 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; Like the dew of Hermon, That cometh down upon the mountains of Zion: For there Jehovah commanded the blessing, Even life forevermore."

"For brethren to dwell together in unity" To us it appears as ridiculous that some interpreters have tried to find in this a Biblical injunction recommending that married brothers live in the same dwelling with their parents. From the beginning, God has ordained that a man should "leave his father and his mother and cleave unto his wife" (Genesis 2:24). Mixing multiple families under one roof is an impossible social device. "What is referred to here is a covenant nation of `brothers' worshipping together in Jerusalem."Leslie C. Allen, Vol. II, p. 212.

As Dummelow pointed out, "This exquisite gem of a song describing the blessings of unity was especially suitable as a Pilgrim Song, when rich and poor, priest and peasant, would fraternize on their pilgrimage to Jerusalem."J. R. Dummelow's Commentary, p. 375.

Quoting Hengstenberg, Delitzsch stated that, "David here brings to the consciousness of the church the glory of the fellowship of the saints."F. Delitzsch, Vol. V-C. [. 317.

"Like the precious oil on the head… of Aaron… that ran down on his beard… and skirt of his garments" In Leviticus 8, are recorded God's instructions to Moses for the anointing of Aaron the High Priest, who, by virtue of his office, is an Old Testament type of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Significantly, the anointing oil was poured upon the head of Aaron; and all of the scholarly disagreement about whether it ran down to his collar or the hem of his skirt is pointless. In all probability it ran all the way to the floor! Just try pouring even a small cup of oil on anyone's head! There was an exceedingly important reason for this most generous pouring of oil on Aaron's head. It symbolized in the Great Anti-Type the unlimited reception of the Holy Spirit by our Lord upon the occasion of his baptism.

Contrasting with this, of course, was the fact that the suffragan priests received no such treatment, the holy oil, in their anointing, being merely sprinkled upon their garments, not poured upon them. Those lesser priests, the sons of Aaron, are Old Testament types of Christians; and the great spiritual impact of these facts is that, "Although Christ was endowed with the unlimited possession of the Holy Spirit, Christians receive only a token gift."

The mention here of that holy oil of anointing with its undeniable application as a symbol of the Holy Spirit is most significant. Brethren dwelling together in unity is possible only when such fruits of the Holy Spirit as love, joy, peace, goodness, longsuffering, kindness, faithfulness, self-control, etc. (Galatians 5:22 f) are found among them. Where these are present, one finds a little breath of heaven on earth. Blessed indeed is such unity.

The mention of Aaron, the high priest here also has another significance, pointed out by Rawlinson. "He bore on his breastplate the names of the twelve tribes; so when the anointing oil was poured on his head, it ran down over all the tribes of Israel, stressing their oneness and unity."The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 8-c, p. 270.

"There Jehovah commanded the blessing" Just as the blessings of God in the Old Dispensation were promised only to those who worshipped God in that city, the same truth prevails today in the fact that God's promises are limited to those in "one place." Where is that? An apostle has made it clear enough.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3).

"Jehovah commanded the blessing" How do blessings Come? God commands them. The same truth is stated in Deuteronomy 28:8 and in Leviticus 25:31.

"Like the dew of Hermon that cometh down upon the mountains of Zion" The geographical problem here lies in the fact of "Mount Hermon's being a hundred air miles from Jerusalem."C. M. Miller, co-author with Anthony L. Ash, p. 416. There are several possible solutions: (1) This is a figure of speech, meaning that very plentiful dew will fall upon Jerusalem, meaning that very plentiful dew will fall upon Jerusalem. (2) The cold breezes from Hermon actually produce heavy dew in Jerusalem. (3) the "dew of Hermon" is used in the same sense that Isaiah used the word dew in that prophecy (Isaiah 26:19) as a symbol of the resurrection and immortality. Dahood adopted this view, stating that, "The mention of `life forevermore' at the end of the verse suggests some allusion to immortality in `the dew of Hermon.'"Mitchell Dahood in The Anchor Bible, Vol. III, p. 252.

Commenting on the psalm as a whole, McCaw wrote that, "The falling of Hermon's dew on Zion would be a miracle, and fellowship is a miracle of divine grace (Ephesians 2:11-22) wherein individual blessings are shared with mutual profit. Such fellowship (3b) is something God delights to bless, and is proof of the possession of life forevermore (1 John 3:14).The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 534.

To this writer, the great message of this little gem is the desirability of harmony and unity in the fellowship of the church. The fragmentation of Christianity is the most deplorable and discouraging aspect of modern Christendom. The architect of the church edifice which God enabled us to build in Manhattan depicted this fragmentation in a large fractured cross enshrined in the front window (57 feet high), designed by the noted Parisian artist J. Duval.

Just as that fractured cross is still beautiful, so Christianity, despite its fragmentation, despite its bitter disputes, anathemas and denunciations is still surpassingly beautiful. God has commanded us to keep the "Spirit of unity in the bond of peace"; but we cannot `keep' that which does not exist. We can only look up to God in our helplessness and plead with Him to look upon us all with loving compassion and pity.

Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

It is like the precious ointment upon the head - That is, which was poured upon the head of the high priest, when consecrated to the holy office. The Hebrew is, “the good ointment.” For a description of the ointment which was used in the consecration of the high priest, and the holy things of the sanctuary, see Exodus 30:22-30. Compare the notes at Isaiah 61:3, on the phrase “oil of joy.” Anointing with oil was common on festivals and joyous occasions (see the notes at Psalms 23:5), and hence, it became an emblem of anything joyous, happy, beautiful; and the idea seemed to be carried to the highest degree when it was connected with the anointing of a high priest to the sacred duties of his office. There is no other resemblance between the idea of anointing with oil and that of harmony among brethren than this which is derived from the gladness - the joyousness - connected with such an anointing. The psalmist wished to give the highest idea of the pleasantness of such harmony; and he, therefore, compared it with that which was most beautiful to a pious mind - the idea of a solemn consecration to the highest office of religion. The comparison is one which would not unnaturally occur to a Jew.

That ran down upon the beard - Descending from the head upon the long, flowing beard. The idea here is that of copiousness, or abundance - as if so much ointment was poured forth as to descend on the whole person, consecrating the entire man.

Even Aaron’s beard - The word “even” here, introduced by our translators, weakens the force and beauty of the comparison. The psalmist had the simple image of Aaron before his mind, without intending to compare him with any other.

That went down to the skirts of his garments - literally, “to the mouth of his garment.” The idea is that the anointing oil was abundant enough to flow down so as to fall on his entire robe, diffusing a sweet fragrance all around. It is possible, though it may seem like a conceit, that the psalmist may have had an idea of unity in this, as if in the anointing of the high priest the whole man was consecrated, or was “united” in the consecration. It was not merely the head, but the beard, the raiment, the entire person, that partook of the fragrance of the anointing oil. Thus love in a Christian community is so abundant - so overflowing - that it spreads over all the spiritual body, the church; the same sweet and holy influence, represented by the oil of anointing, pervades all, and combines all in one.

Smith's Bible Commentary

Psalms 133:1-3

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! ( Psalms 133:1 )

How sad and tragic it is for brothers to dwell together in disunity. Oh, how we need to strive to maintain the unity of the body of Christ.

It 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 ( Psalms 133:2 );

Now, the anointing with oil in the Old Testament when they sanctified Aaron towards the priesthood, they took oil and they poured it over him. And as they poured it over him, it ran down him, ran down his beard, dripped on down and on his skirts. It just... the anointing with oil was just taking a jar and dumping it out. Now in the New Testament it says, "Is there any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord" ( James 5:14 ).

And now if we did it like they did in Bible days, we just come out with a pitcher of oil and pour it over the head of the sick. You'd really get then the implication of the anointing with oil. The oil in here is kicking back to the precious ointment that was upon the head, poured upon the head of Aaron. Ran down on his beard, even down to the skirts of his garments.

As the dew of Hermon, as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore ( Psalms 133:3 ).

What is so good? I mean, what is all of these pictures? It's just picturesque of the goodness of men who dwell together in unity. How glorious it is to be able to gather together in love and in unity and just hey, all part of the family. What a beautiful experience. It's incomparable. It's fresh. It's anointed. It's alive. "

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

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.]

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

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.]

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

2. The descriptions of unity 133:2-3

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

[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 Melech give, why the anointing of Aaron and other priests is mentioned, and not the anointing of a king, or of David himself, are, because the anointing of Aaron was first, and also more public and better known by the people;

that went down to the skirts of his garments; or, "the mouth" or "opening of his garments" a; not the extremity of them, as our version inclines to; for not so great a quantity of oil was poured upon him; nor would it have been decent to have his clothes thus greased from top to bottom: but the upper part of his garment, the top of the coat, on which the beard lay, as Jarchi; the neck or collar of it, as Kimchi and Ben Melech; the hole in which the head went through when it was put on, about which there was a band, that it might not be rent,

Exodus 28:32; where the Septuagint use the same word as here. Suidas b says, David means the superior aperture of the garment, that which we call the neck or collar band; and so Theodoret: and the Arabic version renders it, the "aperture", or opening of it; and hitherto the ointment came. This was typical of the grace of the Spirit, the unction from the Holy One; which has been poured on Christ, the head of the church, without measure; and with which he has been anointed above his fellows; and from him it is communicated to all his members; to every one of which is given grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ; and who from his fulness receive, and grace for grace: and particularly brotherly love is compared to this ointment; because of the preciousness of it, which is true of every grace; and because of the extensiveness of it, reaching to head and members, to Christ and all his saints, the meanest and lowest of them; and because of its fragrancy and sweet odour to all that are sensible of it; and because of its delightful, cheering, and refreshing nature; like ointment and perfume it rejoices the heart; yea, the worst things said, or reproofs given, in brotherly love, are like oil, pleasant and useful, Proverbs 27:9; and is as necessary for the saints, who are all priests unto God, to offer up their spiritual sacrifices; particularly that of prayer, which should be "without wrath", as well as without doubting; and to do all other duties of religion, which should spring from charity or love; as the anointing oil was to Aaron and his sons, in order to their officiating in the priest's office.

a על פי επι την ωαν, Sept. "super os", Montanus, Piscator; "super os, vel aperturam", Michaelis; "in capitium", Tigurine version; "upon the collar of his garments", Ainsworth. b In voce ωα.

Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

A song of degrees of David.

      1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!   2 It 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;   3 As 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.

      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 (Genesis 13:9), but the goodness and pleasantness are for brethren to dwell together and so to dwell in unity, to dwell even as one (so some read it), as having one heart, one soul, one interest. David had many sons by many wives; probably he penned this psalm for their instruction, to engage them to love another, and, if they had done this, much of the mischief that arose in his family would have been happily prevented. The tribes of Israel had long had separate interests during the government of the Judges, and it was often of bad consequence; but now that they were united under one common head he would have them sensible how much it was likely to be for their advantage, especially since now the ark was fixed, and with it the place of their rendezvous for public worship and the centre of their unity. Now let them live in love.

      II. How commendable it is: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is! It is good in itself, agreeable to the will of God, the conformity of earth to heaven. It is good for us, for our honour and comfort. It is pleasant and pleasing to God and all good men; it brings constant delight to those who do thus live in unity. Behold, how good! We cannot conceive or express the goodness and pleasantness of it. Behold it is a rare thing, and therefore admirable. Behold and wonder that there should be so much goodness and pleasantness among men, so much of heaven on this earth! Behold it is an amiable thing, which will attract our hearts. Behold it is an exemplary thing, which, where it is, is to be imitated by us with a holy emulation.

      III. How the pleasantness of it is illustrated.

      1. It is fragrant as the holy anointing oil, which was strongly perfumed, and diffused its odours, to the great delight of all the bystanders, when it was poured upon the head of Aaron, or his successor the high priest, so plentifully that it ran down the face, even to the collar or binding of the garment, Psalms 133:2; Psalms 133:2. (1.) This ointment was holy. So must our brotherly love be, with a pure heart, devoted to God. We must love those that are begotten for his sake that begat,1 John 5:1. (2.) This ointment was a composition made up by a divine dispensatory; God appointed the ingredients and the quantities. Thus believers are taught of God to love one another; it is a grace of his working in us. (3.) It was very precious, and the like to it was not to be made for any common use. Thus holy love is, in the sight of God, of great price; and that is precious indeed which is so in God's sight. (4.) It was grateful both to Aaron himself and to all about him. So is holy love; it is like ointment and perfume which rejoice the heart. Christ's love to mankind was part of that oil of gladness with which he was anointed above his fellows. (5.) Aaron and his sons were not admitted to minister unto the Lord till they were anointed with this ointment, nor are our services acceptable to God without this holy love; if we have it not we are nothing, 1 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Corinthians 13:2.

      2. It is fructifying. It is profitable as well as pleasing; it is as the dew; it brings abundance of blessings along with it, as numerous as the drops of dew. It cools the scorching heat of men's passions, as the evening dews cool the air and refresh the earth. It contributes very much to our fruitfulness in every thing that is good; it moistens the heart, and makes it tender and fit to receive the good seed of the word; as, on the contrary, malice and bitterness unfit us to receive it, 1 Peter 2:1. It is as the dew of Hermon, a common hill (for brotherly love is the beauty and benefit of civil societies), and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion, a holy hill, for it contributes greatly to the fruitfulness of sacred societies. Both Hermon and Zion will wither without this dew. It is said of the dew that it tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men,Micah 5:7. Nor should our love to our brethren stay for theirs to us (that is publican's love), but should go before it--that is divine love.

      IV. The proof of the excellency of brotherly love. Loving people are blessed people. For, 1. They are blessed of God, and therefore blessed indeed: There, where brethren dwell together in unity, the Lord commands the blessing, a complicated blessing, including all blessings. It is God's prerogative to command the blessing, man can but beg a blessing. Blessings according to the promise are commanded blessings, for he has commanded his covenant for ever. Blessings that take effect are commanded blessings, for he speaks and it is done. 2. They are everlastingly blessed. The blessing which God commands on those that dwell in love is life for evermore; that is the blessing of blessings. Those that dwell in love not only dwell in God, but do already dwell in heaven. As the perfection of love is the blessedness of heaven, so the sincerity of love is the earnest of that blessedness. Those that live in love and peace shall have the God of love and peace with them now, and they shall be with him shortly, with him for ever, in the world of endless love and peace. How good then is it, and how pleasant!