Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
Psalms 133:3

Clarke's Commentary

Verse Psalms 133:3. As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion — This was not Mount Zion, ציון tsiyon, in Jerusalem, but Sion, שיאן which is a part of Hermon, see Deuteronomy 4:48: "Mount Sion, which is Hermon." On this mountain the dew is very copious. Mr. Maundrell says that "with this dew, even in dry weather, their tents were as wet as if it had rained the whole night." This seems to show the strength of the comparison.

For there — Where this unity is.

The Lord commanded the blessing — That is, an everlasting life. There he pours out his blessings, and gives a long and happy life.

For other particulars, see the commentators passim, and the following analysis.

ANALYSIS OF THE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-THIRD PSALM

In this Psalm the blessings of peace and unity are recommended and described, whether in the Church, family, or kingdom.

I. It is, says the prophet, a good and pleasant thing, c., Psalms 133:1.

II. He declares both by similitudes.

1. The pleasantness, by the ointment with which the high priest was anointed.

2. The goodness, by the dew which fell upon the mountains.

3. But in plainer terms, by the blessing of God upon the head of the peaceful.

1. The prophet begins with an encomium of peace, unity, and concord.

1. "Behold." Take notice of it in its effects.

2. "How good and pleasant," c. He admires, but cannot express it.

3. The encomium itself is expressed by two epithets: 1. It is good, and brings much profit. 2. It is pleasant, and brings much content with it.

4. The concord itself is thus expressed: Brethren, either in a Church, family, or kingdom, should be of one soul, and intent on the common good.

II. The pleasantness is compared to "the precious ointment upon the head."

1. All benefit from this concord princes, nobles, and people. The head, beard, and skirts.

2. It sends forth a sweet and reviving savour.

3. It is as balsam poured into wounds.

The profit he compares to the dews: "As the dew of Hermon," c., gently descending, and fructifying and enriching the ground.

And this he sets down without any metaphor: "For there the Lord commanded the blessing," &c. which approbation he manifests by the abundance he pours where concord and unity are found.

1. He commands his blessing. Makes all creatures useful to them.

2. His blessing is prosperity, good success. To bless is to benefit.

3. This he calls life for with troubles, griefs, &c., a man's life is no life. A quiet life those shall have who live in peace, without dissensions respecting religion or in matters connected with the state.

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

As the dew of Hermon ... - On the situation of Mount Hermon, see the notes at Psalms 89:12. The literal rendering of this passage would be, “Like the dew of Hermon which descends on the mountains of Zion.” According to our version two things are referred to: the dew of Hermon, and the dew on the mountains of Zion, But this is not in the original. There no dew is referred to but that which belongs to Hermon. It has, of course, been made a question how the dew of Hermon, a remote mountain, could be said to descend on the mountains of Zion, and our translators have sought to solve the difficulty by inserting the words “and as the dew.” Some have supposed that the proper interpretation is to refer the comparison in the passage to the dew of Hermon, and that all which follows is an application of the thought: “Like the dew of Hermon is the influence which comes down upon the mountains of Zion,” etc.

The most probable and plausible interpretation, however, it seems to me, is, that the mind of the poet was turned to the dew of Hermon - to the gentleness, and the copiousness, and the vivifying nature of that dew - diffusing beauty and abundance all around - and that he thought of that dew, or dew like that, as descending on the mountains of Zion. Not that the dew of Hermon actually descended there; but when changing the comparison, in illustration of brotherly love, from oil to dew, he most naturally thought (perhaps from some former observation) of the dew of Hermon, and immediately thought of Zion as if that dew descended there: that is, love, unity, and concord there would be as if the dew of Hermon should descend on the barren hills of Zion or Jerusalem, there diffusing beauty, abundance, fertility. The comparison of the influence of brotherly love, or unity, with dew is not a forced or unnatural one. So calm, so gentle, so refreshing on the tender grain, on the young plants, on the flowers, is dew, that it is a striking image of the influences which produce brotherly love and harmony.

For there the Lord commanded the blessing - He appointed that as the place of worship; as the seat of his residence; the source of all holy influences. See Psalms 78:67-69, note; Psalms 87:2, note.

Even life for evermore - literally, “Life to eternity.” That is, such influences go from that place as to lead to eternal life, or as to secure eternal life. It is in Zion, in his church, that he has made known the way to eternal life, and the means by which it may be obtained. To the end of the world this beautiful psalm will be sung in the church alike as expressing the charm which there is in unity among brethren and in the church; and as tending to promote that unity whose beauty it is designed to commend. Happy will be that day when the church shall be so united that it may be sung everywhere, as expressing what is, and not merely what should be.

Calvin's Commentary on the Bible

3.Like the precious ointment upon the head. We have here clear proof that David, as we have just said, holds all true union among brethren to take its rise from God, and to have this for its legitimate object, that all may be brought to worship God in purity, and call upon iris name with one consent. Would the similitude have been borrowed from holy ointment if it had not been to denote, that religion must always hold the first place? ⁽¹⁴⁸⁾ Any concord, it is thus insinuated, which may prevail amongst men, is insipid, if not pervaded by a sweet savor of God’s worship. We maintain, therefore, that men are to be united amongst themselves in mutual affection, with this as the great end., that they may be placed together under the government of God. If there be any who disagree with these terms, we would do well rather to oppose them strenuously, than purchase peace at the expense of God’s honor. We must hold, that when mention is made of the Priest, it is to intimate, that concord takes its rise in the true and pure worship of God, while by the beard and skirts of the garments, we are led to understand that the peace which springs from Christ as the head, is diffused through the whole length and breadth of the Church. The other figure, of the dew distilling upon Mount Zion and Hermon, denotes, that a holy unity has not only a sweet savor before God, but is productive of good effects, as the dew moistens the earth and supplies it with sap and freshness. Moses, we know, said of Judea, that it was not like Egypt fertilized by the overflowings of its river, but such as drank daily of the rain of heaven. (Deuteronomy 11:11.) David suggests, that the life of man would be sapless, unprofitable, and wretched, unless sustained by brotherly harmony. It is evident, that mount Hermon must have been rich and fruitful, being famed amongst places for pasture. Mountains depend principally for fertility upon the dews of heaven, and this was shown in the case of mount Zion. David adds in the close, that God commands his blessing where peace is cultivated; by which is meant, that he testifies how much tie is pleased with concord amongst men, by showering down blessings upon them. The same sentiment is expressed by Paul in other words, (2 Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 4:9,) “Live in peace, and the God of peace shall be with you.” Let us then, as much as lies in us, study to walk in brotherly love, that we may secure the divine blessing. Let us even stretch out our arms to those who differ from us, desiring to bid them welcome if they will but return to the unity of the faith. Do they refuse? Then let them go. We recognize no brotherhood, as I have said already, except amongst the children of God.

(148) “Car a quel propos tireroit ­ il ceste similitude de l’huile sacree, sinon a ceste fin clue la vraye religion tiene tousjours le premier lieu ?”­ Ft.

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

2. The descriptions of unity 133:2-3

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

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.

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion,.... Hermon was a very high hill beyond Jordan; the Sidonians called it Sirion, and the Amorites Shenir, Deuteronomy 3:8; hence Shenir and Hermon are mentioned together, Song of Solomon 4:8; and sometimes Sion or Seon, Deuteronomy 4:48; and is the Zion here intended; for the dew of Hermon could never descend on the mountain of Zion near Jerusalem, which was a hundred miles distant; besides Zion was but one mountain, these many. Hermon was remarkable for its dew, which still continues: a traveller c, one of our own country, and whose fidelity is to be depended on, lying in tents near this hill one night, says,

"we were sufficiently instructed by experience what the holy psalmist means by the dew of Hermon; our tents being as wet with it as if it had rained all night.''

The mountains of Zion were those that were near to Zion, and not the mountain itself, those that were round about Jerusalem, on which the dew also fell in great plenty; and to which unity among brethren is here compared, because it comes from God in heaven, as the dew does. Saints are taught of God to love one another; contentions and quarrels come from lusts within, but this comes from above, from the Father of lights; and, because of its gentle nature, this makes men pure, and peaceable, and gentle, and easy to be entreated; as the dew falls gently in a temperate and moderate air, not in stormy and blustering weather: and because of its cooling nature; it allays the heats and animosities in the minds of men; and because it makes the saints fruitful, and to grow and increase in good works;

for there the Lord commanded the blessing; either in the mountains of Zion; so Kimchi: and if Mount Zion is meant by it, the church, often signified thereby, is the dwelling place of the Lord; here he records his name and blesses; here his word is preached, which is full of blessings; and here ordinances are administered, which are blessed of God to his people. Theodoret thinks some respect is had to the pouring down of the Spirit on the apostles in Jerusalem, on the day of Pentecost: but rather the sense is, where brethren dwell together in unity, there the God of love and peace is; the Gospel of the grace of God is continued; and the ordinances of it made beneficial to the souls of men, they meeting together in peace and concord; see 2 Corinthians 13:11. God is said to "command the blessing" when he promises it, and makes it known to his people, or bestows it on them, Psalms 105:8;

[even] life for evermore: the great blessing of all, which includes all others, and in which they issue, the promise of the covenant, the blessing of the Gospel; which is in the hands of Christ, and comes through him to all his people; to the peacemakers particularly, that live in love and peace; these shall live for ever in a happy eternity, and never die, or be hurt of the second death.

c Maundrell's Travels, p. 57. Ed. 7.

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!