Reflections on Psalms 133

 Psalms 133(Contemporary English Version)

1. (A song for worship.) It is truly wonderful when relatives live together in peace.
   
2. It is as beautiful as olive oil poured on Aaron's head and running down his beard and the collar of his robe.
   
3. It is like the dew from Mount Hermon, falling on Zion's mountains, where the LORD has promised to bless his people with life forevermore.

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It is both good and pleasant, David says, "when brothers can live together!" (133:1) In the Hebrew there is more behind this statement than merely living together, however. It speaks of living together in unity and in peace. This is what is intended by God - that man can live together with a respect and love for one another that dispels conflict and strife. Is it a unity in which all are in agreement? Not likely! But it is one in which the respect for one another is of greater importance than whether or not there is common agreement on everything.

This type of community is not only God's intent, it can only be accomplished through Him. Such a community not only reflects the relationship among brothers but a common relationship with God. Furthermore, it evidences obedience to the law which is summed up in love for God and love for neighbor. Love for God and man not only summarizes the law of Moses but the "Perfect law" of liberty that Jesus gave.

David likened it to the fine oil used to anoint the priest and also to the dew of Mount Hermon. One suggests God's blessing and the other an environment that is continually prosperous and fruitful. In verse 3 David concludes, "For there the LORD has appointed the blessing--life forevermore." A difficult statement to understand, but it suggests that the living of brothers together in unity is blessed by God and is the nature of life together that will be eternal.