Psalm 133

Psalm 133:1-3 

 How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! 

² It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, 

on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes. 

³ It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. 

For there the LORD ordained his blessing, life forevermore.

           Psalm 133 is a wisdom psalm. The psalm has taken a feature of family life and made it the subject of teaching.  It attempts to preserve the tradition of brothers living together at a time when it is declining. We might remember the stories of the difficult relationships within the extended families of the Patriarchs in Genesis or later the family of David and the kings of Israel. The verse is a reference to the typical tribal patterns of living, especially when male relatives shared grazing land for their sheep and cattle. Recall the Genesis accounts of Abraham and Lot, and Jacob and Esau. Often, sharing land resulted in nasty internecine squabbles and an eventual parting of the ways. Abraham and Lot could not live together, nor could Jacob and Esau. The story of Joseph and his brothers is an extended reflection on the danger of not living in harmony as brothers as well as how good and pleasant it is with the restoration of such relationships. When the siblings or kindred parted, often it was not a pleasant scene. Abraham and Lot were the exception, thanks primarily to Abraham’s remarkable wisdom and gentle disposition. He fixes his eye on the ideal of the extended family.  Most of us have families dysfunctional enough to know that of which the writer speaks. Yet, when families that have a history of animosity change to a culture of acceptance and cooperation, we agree that goodness has entered. Others will take notice. Capulets sit down with Montagues, Hatfields with the McCoys, Catholics with Protestants, Jews with Muslims, conservatives with liberals, Democrats with Republicans, then we know something remarkably pleasant has happened. It makes for the good and pleasant in this life. Notice the text does not say that there is anything salvific or theologically redemptive about this. It is just good. It is pleasant. Of course, that is redemptive, and it might even result in the salvation of lives. Certainly, it would be true in the Middle East. Nevertheless, the psalmist is not trying to make a case for ecumenism, theological unity, or sharing doctrinal positions. Rather, this speaks to issues of long-standing estrangement. This speaks to the possibility of reconciliation. He is aware of the spiritual value of ancient traditions. Precious oil will show hospitality for guests. The anointing of priests brings divine blessing to Mount Zion. Such goodness and pleasantness in such relationships will lead to the preservation of their lives in the eternity of God. Ultimately, then, actions that lead to goodness and pleasantness in this life will have a saving and redemptive result for eternity.

        ¹ How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! Notice the text does not say that there is anything salvific or theologically redemptive about this. It is just good. It is pleasant. And yes, that is redemptive, and it might even result in the salvation of lives. Certainly, it is true in the Middle East. But the psalmist is not trying to make a case for ecumenism, or theological unity, or shared doctrinal positions. Nothing like that. This speaks to issues of long-standing estrangement. This speaks to the possibility of reconciliation. It focuses upon the feelings resulting from such unity and is not exhortation to such unity. ² It, this precious unity, is like the precious oil, referring to a delicious scent, beautiful and refined. They would ordinarily use finest olive oil, sometimes infused with exotic fragrances for this purpose, as we find in Mark 14:3.  They would pour the oil on the head, anointing the head of an honored guest with oil being a traditional and significant gesture of hospitality, as we find famously in Psalm 23:5 and the example we find in Luke 7:46. The oil running down, referring to divine blessing, upon the beard, referring to a sacred model for the adornment of a man, on the beard of Aaron. The reference to Aaron is an allusion to priestly anointing (Leviticus 8:30), which would be among the most momentous examples of the practice of an exaggerated amount of oil (oleaginous) for anointing. Thus, the oil is running down over the collar of his robes. The image is exaggerated: There would be neither need nor desire for such a copious amount of oil to stain the priest's precious garments. ³ It is like the dew of Hermon. The precise connection with oil and dew is confusing. Dew of Hermon refers to morning sun radiating freshness and splendor. The common theme is beauty and charm. The dew is that which falls on the mountains of Zion. The focus is Jerusalem. It may refer to the moving spectacle of diverse members of the Israelite clans and tribes gathering in Jerusalem for festivals, such as Passover (see Luke 2:41).  For there the Lord ordained divine blessing, life forevermore. Such goodness and pleasantness will lead to the preservation of such persons in the eternity of the Lord.