Psalms 133
BBCPsalms 133:1
Psalm 133: In Praise of UnityGreat things come in small packages. This Psalm is short but it is a literary and spiritual gem that makes up in quality what it lacks in quantity. The psalmist has four main points. First, it is good and pleasant when brothers dwell together in unity. Second, it is fragrant. Third, it is refreshing. Finally, it is the sure guarantee of God’s blessing. 133:1 Unity among brethren is a sight to behold. However, unity does not require that they see eye to eye on everything. On matters of fundamental importance they agree. On subordinate matters there is liberty for differing viewpoints. In all things there should be a spirit of love. There can be unity without uniformity; we are all different but that does not prevent our working together.
All the members of the human body are different, but as they function in obedience to the head, there is a glorious unity. There can be unity without unanimity; God never intended that everyone should agree on matters of minor importance. It is enough to agree on the basics. On everything else we may disagree as long as we can do it without being disagreeable. The real enemies of unity are jealousy, gossip, backbiting, censoriousness and lovelessness. 133:2 Unity is like the fragrant perfume that was used in anointing Aaron the priest (Exo_30:22-30). It was poured on his head, then ran down on his beard, and from there to the edge of his robe. The pleasing scent was enjoyed not only by the priest himself but by everyone in the vicinity. The holy anointing oil pictures the ministry of the Holy Spirit, descending as a sweet-smelling savor on God’s people when they live happily together, and diffusing the aroma of their testimony to the surrounding areas. 133:3 Then again unity brings refreshment. “It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion.” The psalmist sees Mt. Hermon as the source of cool, invigorating moisture for distant mountains. Again the dew typifies the Holy Spirit, carrying refreshment from united brethren to the ends of the earth. No one can measure how far-reaching is the influence of believers who walk in fellowship with God and with one another. The final point is that the LORD commands the blessing where brothers and sisters live together in unity. Take Pentecost as an illustration. The disciples were living in harmony and peace, united in prayer and waiting for the promised Holy Spirit. Suddenly the Spirit of God descended upon them in all His fullness and they went forth with the fragrance and refreshment of the gospel to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth. The blessing is explained as being life forevermore. This may be understood in two ways. When there is unity among God’s people, they themselves enjoy life in its truest sense. And not only so, they become the channels through which life flows out to others.