Homilist Psalm 133:1-3 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!… The subject of this poem is genuine socialism or unity of souls. Not theological unity, religious dogmas divide but can never unite. Not ecclesiastical unity; no laws made by any Church, though signed by all its members, can unite souls. Not mechanical unity, the unity of organizations either political, religious, or commercial. Unity of soul implies unity in the supreme affection, the supreme aim, the supreme rule. I. IT IS GOOD. 1. Because it harmonizes with man's social constitution. It is what man's social nature craves for, his greatest hunger is for loving companionship. It is what man's social nature needs. He needs the ministry of friendship from the cradle to the grave. It is what man's social nature pictures as its grandest ideal. Social unity is regarded by all peoples and nations as the perfection of society. 2. Because it harmonizes with the teaching of the Gospel. Christ inculcated this unity, and prayed for it, that "they all may be one." The apostles everywhere exhort to it, "be of one mind one toward another." II. It is DELIGHTFUL. 1. It is delightful to witness. To "behold" it in the family, the Church, the nation. All jealousies, envies, rivalries, wars, banished from the scene, and utterly unknown. "Peace like morning dew distils, and all the air is love." 2. It is delightful to experience What a delicious fragrance there is in social unity, to feel one with all, and all with one another. This gives to the social atmosphere a delicious perfume. III. It is BENEFICENT (ver. 3). It does not mean that the dew falls alike upon the two mountains, but that the moisture that gathers on Mount Hermon is caught up by the sun, and falls in refreshing showers on the distant heights of Zion. 1. This unity is peaceful. How silently falls the dew! How serenely moves society where all its members are inspired with love one towards another, no clash, no jar, no grating of the wheels. 2. This unity is refreshing. It gives to the whole social sphere perpetual freshness, verdure, and beauty. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: {A Song of degrees of David.} Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!WEB: See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity! |
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