Psalm 133

“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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