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Psalm 133

This is a song about the unity and love for one another to be found  among God's people and about how beautiful that love and unity can be. The lesson in the temple this particular morning might be about the rebellion of the ten spies who counseled against entering the promised land.  Their counsel was certainly a case of the most blatant disunity with the two spies who counseled immediate entry – and it also caused disunity relative to God's program for Israel. As preparation for that lesson from the Torah, this song made clear how much more effective for God Israel was when they were in agreement with each other, when they were all pulling in the same direction.

The psalm tells the people that unity and love among Gods people is "good" and it's "pleasant."  It's good because it makes for effectiveness, and it results in a pleasant atmosphere as well when there's no divisiveness.  The song tells us that such unity is "like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments."

The "oil" in view is of course the anointing oil, the oil used to anoint Aaron for his work as high priest.  To the Hebrew, anointing with oil was symbolic of their prayer to Jehovah that He would place His Spirit upon Aaron so that his ministry might be effective. The psalm envisions a very generous portion of oil, thus also envisioning a generous portion of God's Spirit by which Aaron could accomplish His work.

Unity is like that.  When the Spirit of God brings about His wonderful love and unity among His people, then their mission and ministry can be effective to accomplish the tasks He's given them.

The second simile of the psalm isn't greatly different.  Majestic Mount Hermon was at the far northern end of Israel, and it was known for supplying refreshing water to all Israel from its snows and dew.  Such waters flowed down to all Israel just as the oil did upon Aaron.  Thus the grace of their covenant Jehovah made them a prosperous and effective nation.

Things haven't changed, even in our day.  God's people can still say, "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"  Oh how we ought to work and to pray for the unity and love supplied by God's Spirit!  That supply alone can make the mission of the Church effective in this world of sin.  Whether it's the unity of those within a local church or the unity of many churches working together, it is nevertheless a goal to strive and pray for!

To be effective, though, such unity must be brought about by the Spirit of God, not by the feverish efforts of men.  The oil upon Aaron was the symbol of prayer for God's blessing, not man's scheming.  The "dew" of Hermon likewise could not be supplied by man's efforts.  We mustn't look to the scheming efforts of any ecumenical movement to bring about the unity of the Spirit.  And we mustn't dilute the teaching of God's Word in order to bring about an artificial "unity."  Instead let us repent of our own wayward and unloving hearts, and let us pray mightily for the merciful blessing of God's Spirit upon one another.  The unity of His Spirit can and will produce effectiveness in the mission of the Church in this world!

Dear Pastor Al.

Yesterday some "sisters" and I met in my home to pray for our neighbourhoods and our churches.  It was a wonderful time as we are from different denominations. We discussed this psalm. I had a few minutes to spare this afternoon and thought I would see what that "Sage" Al had to say re Psalm 133. You are right...it is about Christian Unity, not about our differences.  We should be celebrating our One-ness in Christ., and working together for the saving of souls and the furtherance of His Kingdom.

Your rendering of this psalm is absolutely spot on.  Thank-you and God Bless.

Jenny

What an encouragement you are, Jenny!  It is indeed blessed to join with our brothers/sisters in our Father's family.  It's blessed to come together before His Throne and to join together in praising and petitioning Him.  And if it's so very joyful to us[/b] to thus join together, think what it must be to HIM!  We are HIS people, and He is our God!

QuoteThe psalm tells the people that unity and love among Gods people is "good" and and it's "pleasant."

Two "and's", Al...just for your records.


"To be effective, though, such unity must be brought about by the Spirit of God, not by the feverish efforts of men.  The oil upon Aaron was the symbol of prayer for God's blessing, not man's scheming.  The "dew" of Hermon likewise could not be supplied by man's efforts.  We mustn't look to the scheming efforts of any ecumenical movement to bring about the unity of the Spirit."

How very, very true.  So many think that it's the efforts of ecumenical movement.  Oh, how it isn't!!!

Thank you andand thank you!