Psalm 133
Psalm 133, The Blessed Unity of God’s People
Scripture Text
Psalm 133:1, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
Psalm 133:2, “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;”
Psalm 133:3, “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.”
Introduction
Psalm 133 is titled A Song of degrees of David. It belongs to the collection of fifteen Songs of Ascents sung by Israelite pilgrims as they traveled upward to Jerusalem for worship. Of the fifteen Songs of Ascents, Psalm 133 is the last of the four attributed to David.
The exact occasion of this psalm is not stated, but one likely setting is the time when David was finally received as king over all Israel. After years of conflict, division, and bloodshed, the tribes came together and acknowledged David as their king. For a season, the nation stood united under the LORD’s chosen ruler.
2 Samuel 5:1, “Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.”
2 Samuel 5:2, “Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.”
2 Samuel 5:3, “So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel.”
A similar picture is given in 1 Chronicles.
1 Chronicles 12:38, “All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.”
1 Chronicles 12:39, “And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking: for their brethren had prepared for them.”
1 Chronicles 12:40, “Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel.”
That kind of national unity would have been deeply moving to David. He knew what division cost. He had lived through Saul’s jealousy, civil strife, tribal tension, and years of instability. Therefore, when brethren dwelt together in unity, David knew it was not a small blessing. It was good, pleasant, refreshing, holy, fruitful, and life giving.
Psalm 133 is short, but it is profound. It teaches that unity among the people of God is not merely useful. It is beautiful before God. It is not merely practical. It is spiritual. It is not merely human cooperation. It is a blessing that descends from above.
This psalm does not call for shallow unity at the expense of truth. Biblical unity is never built by ignoring righteousness, doctrine, holiness, or obedience to God. The unity David praises is the unity of brethren who belong to the LORD and gather around His worship, His priesthood, His covenant, His city, and His blessing.
A. The Blessing Declared
1. Psalm 133:1, Unity Among God’s People Is Good and Pleasant
Psalm 133:1, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
The psalm begins with the word “Behold.” This is a command to stop, look, and consider carefully. David calls attention to something that should not be taken for granted. Unity among God’s people is rare enough, precious enough, and beautiful enough that it deserves focused attention.
Many people notice conflict quickly, but they overlook unity when it is present. David does the opposite. He says, in effect, look at this. Do not miss it. When brethren dwell together in unity, something deeply good is taking place.
The phrase “how good and how pleasant” is important. Some things are good but not immediately pleasant. Discipline is good, but it may not feel pleasant at the time. Correction is good, but it may sting. Other things are pleasant but not good. Sin may feel pleasant for a season, but it destroys. Unity among God’s people is both good and pleasant.
It is good because it reflects the heart and purpose of God. God is not the author of sinful confusion, bitterness, envy, strife, and division. He delights in order, peace, truth, love, righteousness, and fellowship among His people.
John 17:20, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;”
John 17:21, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”
John 17:22, “And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:”
John 17:23, “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.”
The Lord Jesus prayed for the unity of those who would believe in Him. This unity is not organizational compromise or empty religious cooperation. It is spiritual unity rooted in the Father and the Son, revealed through truth, and displayed before the world.
It is also pleasant because life among God’s people becomes joyful when there is peace, love, and shared devotion. A church, family, or nation marked by constant bickering becomes exhausting. But when brethren walk together in unity, worship is sweeter, service is stronger, fellowship is deeper, and burdens are easier to bear.
Ephesians 4:1, “I therefore, the prisoner of Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,”
Ephesians 4:2, “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;”
Ephesians 4:3, “Endeavouring to keep the unity of Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Paul does not tell believers to create spiritual unity by human effort alone. He tells them to keep the unity of the Spirit. Unity is a gift from God that must be guarded through humility, meekness, patience, love, and peace.
David says this blessing belongs to “brethren.” The focus is on the people of God. Scripture calls believers to live peaceably with all men as much as possible, but Psalm 133 is specifically concerned with unity among those who share covenant identity and worship.
Romans 12:18, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
Christians should not be quarrelsome people. As much as possible, they should pursue peace with all men. Yet the unity of Psalm 133 is deeper than general civility. It is the unity of brethren under the LORD.
David also says, “to dwell together in unity.” This unity is tested by closeness. It is easier to feel united with people from a distance. It is much harder to dwell together. When people live, worship, serve, travel, labor, and endure trials together, their character is exposed. Preferences clash. Weaknesses appear. Pride is tested. Patience is required.
That is why unity among brethren is such a blessing. It is not sentimental language. It is tested life together under God.
For the pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem, this would have had immediate meaning. They came from different tribes, regions, households, trades, and circumstances, yet they gathered for one purpose, to worship the LORD in Zion. Their shared worship was greater than their differences.
The same principle applies to the church. Christian unity is not based on identical personalities, backgrounds, temperaments, or preferences. It is based on one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.
Ephesians 4:4, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;”
Ephesians 4:5, “One Lord, one faith, one baptism,”
Ephesians 4:6, “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
Unity among God’s people is good because it is grounded in God’s truth. It is pleasant because it brings joy to the life of the people. It is visible because brethren dwell together. It is precious because it is too often threatened by pride, selfishness, envy, bitterness, and strife.
B. The Blessing Described
1. Psalm 133:2, Like Oil on the Head
Psalm 133:2, “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;”
David now describes unity with the image of precious ointment poured upon the head of Aaron. This refers to the holy anointing oil associated with priestly consecration. The image is rich, fragrant, abundant, holy, and priestly.
In the ancient world, oil could be used for refreshment, hospitality, healing, gladness, and consecration. A guest might be anointed with oil as an act of honor and refreshment.
Luke 7:46, “My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.”
Jesus rebuked Simon the Pharisee because he failed to show customary honor, while the woman showed deep love and devotion. Oil could refresh and honor. In Psalm 133, unity among God’s people is like that. It refreshes the weary. It sweetens the atmosphere. It brings honor to the household of faith.
But this is not ordinary oil. David calls it “precious ointment.” The reference to Aaron shows that this is connected to the holy anointing oil used for priestly consecration.
Exodus 29:7, “Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him.”
Aaron was anointed as high priest. This oil marked him out for holy service to the LORD. Therefore, the unity of God’s people is compared not merely to something pleasant, but to something sacred.
The holy anointing oil was unique and not to be imitated for common use.
Exodus 30:22, “Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,”
Exodus 30:23, “Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,”
Exodus 30:24, “And of cassia five hundred shekels, after shekel of sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin:”
Exodus 30:25, “And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after art of apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.”
Exodus 30:31, “And thou shalt speak unto children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations.”
Exodus 30:32, “Upon man’s flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you.”
Exodus 30:33, “Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth of it upon stranger, shall even be cut off from his people.”
This makes David’s comparison striking. Unity among God’s people is holy. It should not be treated as common, cheap, or optional. The unity of brethren is not the unity of worldly friendship, political alliance, or shared convenience. It is a sacred blessing rooted in God’s work among His people.
The oil is described as “upon the head,” then “upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard,” and finally going “down to the skirts of his garments.” The repeated downward movement is important. The blessing descends from above. The oil is poured on the head and flows downward. Unity among God’s people is likewise from above. It is bestowed by God before it is enjoyed by man.
James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
True unity is a good gift from above. It is not manufactured by manipulation, shallow compromise, or pretending differences do not exist. It comes from God as His people submit to His truth, walk in His Spirit, and humble themselves before Him.
The image of Aaron also connects unity with priestly service. When Aaron was anointed, he was consecrated to serve God and represent the people. His priestly ministry involved sacrifice, intercession, atonement, worship, compassion, and instruction. Therefore, the anointing oil led to many other blessings among God’s people.
So it is with unity. Unity is not only pleasant in itself. It makes other good works possible. When God’s people are consumed with division, bitterness, and strife, they waste strength that should be used in worship, evangelism, discipleship, mercy, prayer, and service. But when brethren dwell together in unity, the work of God is strengthened.
This does not mean unity is more important than truth. Aaron’s anointing oil was holy oil. It was connected to consecration, not compromise. Biblical unity is always unity in holiness and truth.
John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
Jesus prayed for unity in John 17, but He also prayed for sanctification through truth. Therefore, unity and truth must never be set against each other. Unity without truth becomes corruption. Truth without love becomes cold and harsh. Biblical unity is holy, truthful, loving, and God centered.
The oil ran down to the skirts of Aaron’s garments. This shows abundance. The blessing was not meager. It overflowed. Unity among God’s people spreads blessing beyond the first point of contact. It reaches outward. It affects the whole body. It fills the atmosphere with fragrance.
Exodus 29:21, “And thou shalt take of blood that is upon altar, and of anointing oil, and sprinkle it upon Aaron, and upon garments, and upon his sons, and upon garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and sons, and his sons’ garments with him.”
The priestly anointing extended to the garments and to the priestly household. The image fits the psalm. Unity blesses more than the individual. It blesses the household, the congregation, the community, and the generations that follow.
2. Psalm 133:3, Like the Dew of the Mountains
Psalm 133:3, “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.”
David gives a second image. Unity is not only like precious priestly oil. It is also “as the dew of Hermon.” Mount Hermon was known for its abundant moisture. Its dew was rich, refreshing, and life sustaining. In a land where much of the surrounding territory could be dry and rugged, dew was a blessing of renewal.
The dew represents refreshment, fertility, and quiet life giving power. Unlike a storm, dew comes gently. It does not crash down violently. It settles quietly and refreshes the ground. Unity among God’s people has the same effect. It refreshes weary souls. It softens dry places. It helps life flourish.
Hosea 14:5, “I will be as dew unto Israel: he shall grow as lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.”
Here the LORD Himself compares His blessing to dew. Dew enables growth. It refreshes what is dry. It strengthens life. Psalm 133 uses that same image for unity among brethren.
David then says, “and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion.” Hermon was in the north, while Zion was in Jerusalem. The poetic image pictures the refreshing dew of Hermon descending upon Zion. Whether understood literally or figuratively, the meaning is clear. The blessing of unity refreshes the place of worship, the people of God, and the city of divine appointment.
Zion is central because it was the place God chose for worship and kingship. David established Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and the ark was brought there. The unity of the tribes under David and the worship of the LORD in Zion belonged together.
Psalm 132:13, “For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.”
Psalm 132:14, “This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.”
Psalm 132 and Psalm 133 are closely connected. Psalm 132 celebrates Zion as the chosen dwelling place of the LORD and the place connected to David’s promised throne. Psalm 133 celebrates the unity of brethren gathering together under that worship and blessing.
The final line gives the reason unity is so blessed, “for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” The blessing does not originate in man. The LORD commands it. When God commands blessing, no power can finally prevent it.
The word “there” points to Zion, the place of worship, covenant promise, priestly service, and Davidic kingship. It is there, among the gathered people of God under His appointed order, that the LORD commands blessing.
The blessing is described as “life for evermore.” This lifts the psalm beyond temporary social harmony. The unity of God’s people is connected to life, and ultimately to eternal life. God’s people will dwell together forever. Therefore, they should learn to dwell together in unity now.
John 13:34, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love another.”
John 13:35, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
The love and unity of Christ’s people are part of their witness to the world. The world should see that believers belong to Christ by the way they love one another. This does not require the abandonment of truth. It requires obedience to Christ.
1 John 3:14, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”
Brotherly love is evidence of spiritual life. Psalm 133 says that where God commands the blessing, there is life forevermore. The New Testament shows that love among the brethren is one mark of those who have passed from death to life.
This unity also points forward to the final unity of God’s people under the true David, the Lord Jesus Christ. David may have seen Israel united for a season under his reign, but Christ will bring His people into perfect unity in His kingdom.
Ephesians 1:9, “Having made known unto us mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:”
Ephesians 1:10, “That in dispensation of fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:”
God’s ultimate purpose is to gather all things together in Christ. Every lesser unity among God’s people is a foretaste of that final gathering. The unity of brethren in Psalm 133 finds its fullest meaning under the reign of the Son of David.
Doctrinal and Practical Summary
Psalm 133 teaches that unity among God’s people is both good and pleasant. It is good because it reflects God’s purpose, truth, holiness, and love. It is pleasant because it makes life together joyful, refreshing, and fruitful.
The psalm teaches that biblical unity belongs especially to brethren, the people of God. Believers should pursue peace with all men as much as possible, but the unity described here is the unity of those gathered under the LORD’s covenant worship and blessing.
Psalm 133 also teaches that unity is tested by closeness. Brethren must dwell together in unity. This requires humility, patience, forgiveness, love, truth, and a willingness to put the glory of God above personal preference.
The image of the precious oil on Aaron teaches that unity is holy, fragrant, abundant, and from above. It is connected with consecration and priestly service. Unity among God’s people enables worship, ministry, intercession, service, compassion, and joy.
The image of the dew of Hermon teaches that unity is refreshing, life giving, and fruitful. It revives dry places and strengthens the life of God’s people.
Finally, Psalm 133 teaches that the LORD commands the blessing. True unity is not merely a human achievement. It is a divine blessing received and guarded by obedience. The final blessing is “life for evermore,” pointing ultimately to the eternal life and perfect unity God’s people will enjoy under Jesus Christ, the true Son of David
