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Pentecost Season · Proper 15 · Year A

Psalm 133

When Brothers Dwell in Unity

August 16, 2026

David, Lorenzo Monaco
David, Lorenzo Monaco, c. 1408–10The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
A panel from a dismembered altarpiece by a Camaldolese monk, painted on gold with the sinuous line and acid colour of late Gothic Florence.A Song of Ascents. Of David. How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard of Aaron.Lorenzo MonacoA Camaldolese monk in Florence who painted in a late Gothic manner of extraordinary colour while the Renaissance began around him.The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New YorkThe largest art museum in the Americas, founded in 1870 by a group of New Yorkers who wanted one and had no collection to start from.The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelMatt. 15:(10-20), 21-28Mt 15:(10-20), 21-28
EpistleRom. 11:1-2a, 29-32Rom 11:1-2a, 29-32
Old TestamentGen. 45:1-15Gn 45:1-15Alt. OTIsa. 56:1, 6-8Is 56:1, 6-8
PsalterPs. 133Ps 133Alt. PsalmPs. 67Ps 67

Overview & Insights

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)

This celebration of fellowship and unity, as the NIV’s exclamation point rightly implies, is a joyful surprise and not to be taken for granted. In two similes, it is compared to things that “come down” (the NIV’s running down and falling both translate the same Hb. participle, yōrēd ), namely oil and dew. This thrice repeated Hebrew participle may be inviting us to look heavenward for its origin, especially in the image of dew. The same implication of divine origin also resides in the image of oil. This is no ordinary oil, it is that which is on the head, running down on Aaron’s beard. This reference is reminiscent of Aaron’s anointing—performed by pouring oil on his head—whereby he was consecrated as Israel’s high priest (Exod. 29:7; 30:22–33; Lev. 8:12). Divine origin is finally made explicit for “the” blessing, which the LORD bestows.

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Take it further: Psalm 133

Commentary

Working Preacher: Commentary on Psalm 133Working Preacher: Commentary on Ps 133 Working Preacher

Lutheran lectionary commentary on the psalm of unity for the complementary track.

Enduring Word: Psalm 133Enduring Word: Ps 133 Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the song of ascents on unity.

BibleHub: Commentaries on Psalm 133:1BibleHub: Commentaries on Ps 133:1 BibleHub

Parallel classic commentaries on the goodness of kindred dwelling in unity.

Background & Word Study

Sefaria: Psalms 133 (Hebrew)Sefaria: Ps 133 (Hebrew) Sefaria

Hebrew text with English and Jewish commentary on the psalm.

BibleHub: Psalm 133 InterlinearBibleHub: Ps 133 Interlinear BibleHub

Hebrew-English interlinear for word-level study of the psalm.

The Church Fathers

Catena: Psalm 133Catena: Ps 133 Catena

Patristic comments gathered verse by verse on Psalm 133.

Questions preachers ask

What is Psalm 133?

A short song of ascents praising the blessing of unity among God's people, like precious oil on Aaron's head or the dew of Hermon, where the Lord commands the blessing of life forever.

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