Psalm CXXXIII
A Song of degrees. Of David.
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together
in unity!
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.
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.
The theme. “A JOYOUS and hearty Psalm (says one) on occasion of one of Unity. the great feasts.” A song for David’s harp — one of the breathings of that sweet singer of Israel. How gladly would the Son of David sing it, full as it is of the love of brethren — the very spirit of his “new commandment,” and fitted so well for the use of even the Great Congregation at “our gathering together in him.” It is spoken by one looking on, and calling the attention of others to the pleasant spectacle —
“Behold! how good and how pUasayit The dwelling of brethren entirely as one.’” (irT* WX)
But the last clause may mean as D^ usually does, “also.” How pleasant to see them “together also,” as well as in their tents or separate abodes. Two comparisons are chosen to set forth the excellency of such brotherly harmony; one taken from the tabernacle, the other from the Promised Land. The holy oil, for the priests, was made of four sorts of the best spices, mixed into one (Exod. xxxiv. 22); and thus compounded, its fragrance was felt by all in the sanctuary, breathing from the high priest Aaron’s head and garments — an emblem of the unity of many tribes, unity called forth by the presence of one High Priest, and emblem also of all that gratifies the senses and strengthens the heart. One and the same oil sheds its sweet odour from the head, the beard, and the skirts of the priestly robes —
“Like tkeprecioiis oil on th-e head, (Like oil) which descended on the heard — Aaron’s heard, (Like oil) which descended on the very border of his garments.”
THOSE WHO MEET IN THE HOLY CITY. 4<05
Or, changing the figure,
“Like the dew oj Hermon, (not the Hermon or Sirion of Deut. iii. 9, for it is crowned with perpetual snow — but that Hermon which rises from the plain of Jezreel) (Like the dew) which descended on the hills ofZioti.”
The oil diffuses a like fragrance, whether it be on head, beard, or garment that you find it; the dew is alike reviving and refreshing, whether it fall on Hermon* or on the hills of Zion; and so it is with the harmonious congregations of Israel, one spirit breathes in them all, though some come from the extreme parts of the land, and some from the more distinguished portions; some from the plain of Jezreel, others from the hills of Jerusalem.
It is “there” where such brotherly love is seen, in such assemblies as these, that the Lord commands the blessing. It will be in the assembly of the first-born, gathered together into one, at his Second Coming, that the blessing shall descend in all its richness, even “life for evermore.” And then shall the pilgrim band, arrived at their holy city, with their Leader in the midst, burst out into this wondering and delighted cry — “Behold!” — a sight to which our eyes were strangers during all our pilgrimage — “Behold! Tnen dwelling together as brethren /” without jar or discord, in entire love and unity! In strains like these shall we at last hear
The Lord’s servant admiring the unity of those who meet in the Holy City.
* Buchanan lias Latinised this Psalm very happily. After luginning with
“Nil caritate mutua fratrum, nihil
Jucundius Concordia.” — lu; says: —
“Non ros, tenella gemmulis aigenteis
Pingena Zioiiis gramiiia,
Aut verna diilci inebrians uligine
Heimonis iiitonsi juga.”
The theme.
Praise without
1-eas.ing,
406 PSALM CXXXIV. — A CALL FOR UNCEASING PRAISE.