It is like the dew of Hermon falling on the mountains of Zion. For there the LORD has bestowed the blessing of life forevermore. It is like the dew of HermonThe phrase "It is like the dew of Hermon" draws a vivid picture of the refreshing and life-giving nature of unity among believers. Mount Hermon, located in the northern part of Israel, is known for its abundant dew, which is essential for the fertility of the region. The Hebrew word for "dew" is "tal," which signifies freshness and blessing. In the arid climate of the Middle East, dew is a crucial source of moisture, sustaining plant life and symbolizing divine favor. The comparison to Hermon's dew suggests that unity among God's people brings spiritual nourishment and vitality, much like the dew sustains the land. falling on the mountains of Zion
The phrase "falling on the mountains of Zion" connects the blessing of unity to the spiritual center of Israel, Jerusalem, where Mount Zion is located. The Hebrew word for "falling" is "yarad," which implies a gentle descent, much like the grace of God that descends upon His people. Zion, often synonymous with Jerusalem, represents the dwelling place of God and the heart of worship for the Israelites. The imagery of dew falling on Zion signifies that unity among believers is not only refreshing but also sacred, as it aligns with God's presence and purpose. Historically, Zion is the site of the Temple, the focal point of Jewish worship, making this imagery particularly powerful in conveying the idea that unity is a divine blessing that enhances communal worship and spiritual life. For there the LORD has bestowed the blessing of life forevermore
The concluding phrase, "For there the LORD has bestowed the blessing of life forevermore," emphasizes the divine origin and eternal nature of the blessing associated with unity. The Hebrew word for "bestowed" is "tsavah," meaning to command or ordain, indicating that this blessing is a deliberate act of God. The "blessing of life forevermore" suggests not only temporal well-being but also eternal life, a promise that resonates deeply within the Christian faith. This phrase underscores the belief that unity among believers is a foretaste of the eternal life promised in Christ, where harmony and peace will be fully realized. Theologically, this reflects the New Testament teachings on the body of Christ, where unity is both a gift and a calling, leading to the ultimate fulfillment of God's kingdom. Persons / Places / Events 1. Mount HermonA high mountain in the northern part of Israel, known for its abundant dew and lush vegetation. It symbolizes richness and life-giving moisture. 2. Mount ZionA hill in Jerusalem, often representing the city itself and the spiritual center of Israel. It is a place of divine presence and blessing. 3. The LORDThe covenant name of God, Yahweh, who bestows blessings and life. 4. DewA symbol of refreshing and life-giving sustenance, representing God's blessing and favor. 5. Blessing of Life ForevermoreThe eternal life and spiritual blessings that come from God, emphasizing the eternal nature of God's promises. Teaching Points Unity Brings BlessingJust as the dew of Hermon brings life to Zion, unity among believers brings God's blessing. Strive for harmony in your community and relationships. God's Presence in UnityThe presence of God is often manifested where there is unity. Seek to create environments where God's presence can dwell richly. Eternal PerspectiveThe blessings of God are not just temporal but eternal. Focus on the eternal life and blessings that God promises to those who live in unity. Symbolism of DewReflect on how God's blessings can be as gentle and refreshing as dew, bringing life and growth to our spiritual journey. Living in God's BlessingRecognize that living in unity and harmony with others is a way to experience the fullness of God's blessings in your life. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of dew on Mount Hermon enhance our understanding of God's blessings in our lives? 2. In what ways can we foster unity within our church or community to experience the blessings described in Psalm 133:3? 3. How does the concept of eternal life as a blessing influence our daily decisions and interactions with others? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure that our relationships reflect the unity that God desires? 5. How can we apply the symbolism of dew in our spiritual practices to cultivate a refreshing and life-giving relationship with God? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 27:28The blessing of dew is associated with abundance and prosperity, as seen in Isaac's blessing over Jacob. Deuteronomy 33:28Dew is a symbol of divine favor and prosperity for the land of Israel. John 17:21-23Jesus prays for unity among believers, which parallels the unity described in Psalm 133. Revelation 21:2-3The New Jerusalem, like Zion, is a place where God dwells with His people, bestowing eternal blessings. People Aaron, David, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics 134, Ascents, Bestows, Blessing, Blessing-life, Commanded, Descended, Descendeth, Dew, Evermore, Falling, Falls, Forever, Forevermore, Gives, Hermon, Hills, Mount, Mountains, Orders, Psalm, Song, ZionDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 133:3 4814 dew
7271 Zion, as symbol
9136 immortality, OT Library God the Holy Spirit the Love which Dwells in the Heart.
"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 cxxxiii. 2. The fact that love can radiate within man does not insure him the possession of true and real Love, unless, according to His eternal counsel, God is pleased to enter into personal fellowship with him. So long as man knows Him only from afar and not near, God is a stranger to him. He may admire His Love, have a faint sense of it, be pleasantly …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy SpiritLet Brotherly Love Continue. --Ps. cxxxiii.
Let Brotherly Love continue.--Ps. cxxxiii. How beautiful the sight Of brethren who agree In friendship to unite, And bonds of charity! 'Tis like the precious ointment, shed O'er all his robes, from Aaron's head. 'Tis like the dews that fill The cups of Hermon's flowers; Or Zion's fruitful hill, Bright with the drops of showers, When mingling odours breathe around, And glory rests on all the ground. For there the Lord commands Blessings, a boundless store, From His unsparing hands-- Yea, life for …
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns Aron, Brother of Moses, 486, 487.
Abba, same as Father, [3]381; St. Paul uses both words, [4]532. Abel, [5]31, [6]252, [7]268, [8]450. Abimelech, [9]72, [10]197. Abraham, seed of, faithful Christians also, [11]148, [12]149, [13]627; servant's hand under his thigh, [14]149, [15]334; poor in midst of riches, [16]410. Absalom, David's son, [17]4, [18]5; type of Judas the traitor, [19]4, [20]20. Absolution granted by the Church, [21]500. Abyss, or deep, of God's judgments, [22]88; of man's heart, [23]136. Accuser, the devil the great, …
St. Augustine—Exposition on the Book of Psalms Departure from Ireland. Death and Burial at Clairvaux.
[Sidenote: 1148, May (?)] 67. (30). Being asked once, in what place, if a choice were given him, he would prefer to spend his last day--for on this subject the brothers used to ask one another what place each would select for himself--he hesitated, and made no reply. But when they insisted, he said, "If I take my departure hence[821] I shall do so nowhere more gladly than whence I may rise together with our Apostle"[822]--he referred to St. Patrick; "but if it behoves me to make a pilgrimage, and …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple …
St. Hilary of Poitiers—The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
Since every revealed purpose of God, implying that obedience to his law will be given, is a demand of that obedience, the announcement of his Covenant, as in his sovereignty decreed, claims, not less effectively than an explicit law, the fulfilment of its duties. A representation of a system of things pre-determined in order that the obligations of the Covenant might be discharged; various exhibitions of the Covenant as ordained; and a description of the children of the Covenant as predestinated …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Conclusion.
"From Heaven He came and sought her To be His Holy Bride, With His own Blood He bought her, And for her life He died." "The Kingdom of Heaven," what is it? It is the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of Christ. It is that Kingdom which was prophetically set forth by our Lord in His parables; that Kingdom, the subjects of which were described in His teaching, and redeemed by His Blood to be His own "purchased possession" (Eph. i. 14); that Kingdom which was founded through the coming of the Holy …
Edward Burbidge—The Kingdom of Heaven; What is it? Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 133:3 NIVPsalm 133:3 NLTPsalm 133:3 ESVPsalm 133:3 NASBPsalm 133:3 KJV
Psalm 133:3 Commentaries
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