Behold, how good and how pleasant it is when brothers live in harmony! A song of ascents.This phrase indicates that Psalm 133 is part of the Songs of Ascents, a collection of Psalms (120-134) traditionally sung by Hebrew pilgrims as they ascended to Jerusalem for the three major feasts: Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. The ascent is both a physical journey to the elevated city of Jerusalem and a spiritual journey towards God. The Songs of Ascents emphasize themes of unity, worship, and the anticipation of meeting God in His holy city. Of David.
Attributed to King David, this Psalm reflects his experiences and desires for unity among the tribes of Israel. David, as a unifying king, brought together the northern and southern tribes, establishing Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center. His authorship lends authority and historical context, as David himself experienced the challenges and blessings of unity among God's people. Behold,
This word serves as a call to attention, inviting the reader or listener to consider the significance of what follows. It emphasizes the importance of the message and encourages reflection on the beauty and value of unity. how good and pleasant it is
The terms "good" and "pleasant" suggest both moral and experiential benefits. "Good" aligns with God's creation, as seen in Genesis 1, where God declares His creation "good." "Pleasant" indicates a sense of delight and satisfaction, suggesting that unity is not only right but also enjoyable. This duality underscores the holistic blessing of harmony among believers. when brothers live together in harmony!
The term "brothers" refers to the Israelites, the twelve tribes descended from the sons of Jacob. In a broader sense, it applies to all believers as spiritual siblings in the family of God. The concept of living "together in harmony" implies more than mere coexistence; it suggests a deep, abiding peace and cooperation. This unity is a reflection of God's nature and His desire for His people, as seen in the New Testament call for unity in the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:3). The imagery of harmonious living also points to the future Messianic kingdom, where perfect unity will be realized under the reign of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of this Psalm, King David, was a central figure in the history of Israel. He was known for uniting the tribes of Israel and establishing Jerusalem as the nation's capital. 2. IsraelThe nation of Israel, consisting of twelve tribes, often experienced division and conflict. This Psalm reflects the ideal of unity among the tribes. 3. JerusalemAs the city of David, Jerusalem symbolizes the spiritual and political center of Israel, where unity among the people was crucial. Teaching Points The Beauty of UnityUnity among believers is both "good" and "pleasant," reflecting God's design for His people. It is a testimony to the world of God's love and peace. The Challenge of HarmonyLiving in harmony requires effort, humility, and a willingness to put others before oneself. It is a call to live out the fruit of the Spirit in community. The Blessing of TogethernessWhen believers dwell in unity, it brings blessings and anointing, much like the oil running down Aaron's beard, symbolizing God's favor and presence. The Role of LeadershipJust as David led Israel towards unity, spiritual leaders today are called to foster harmony within the church, guiding believers towards mutual love and understanding. Unity as a WitnessThe unity of believers serves as a powerful witness to the world, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel and the reality of God's kingdom. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the unity described in Psalm 133:1 reflect God's character and His intentions for His people? 2. In what ways can we actively pursue harmony within our own church communities, and what obstacles might we face? 3. How does the unity among believers serve as a testimony to non-believers, and how can we enhance this witness in our daily lives? 4. Reflect on a time when you experienced the "good and pleasant" nature of unity among believers. What made that experience significant? 5. How can the teachings of Ephesians 4 help us to maintain unity in our personal relationships and church communities? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 13The account of Abram and Lot parting ways due to strife among their herdsmen highlights the importance of peace and harmony among brethren. John 17Jesus' prayer for unity among His followers underscores the significance of harmony in the body of Christ. Ephesians 4Paul’s exhortation to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace connects to the theme of living together in harmony. People Aaron, David, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Ascents, Behold, Brethren, Brothers, David, Degrees, Dwell, Dwelling, Gt, Harmony, Lt, Pleasant, Pleasing, Song, UnityDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 133:1 5691 friends, good
5783 agreement
7031 unity, God's goal
7032 unity, God's people Psalm 133: 7963 song 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 133:1 NIVPsalm 133:1 NLTPsalm 133:1 ESVPsalm 133:1 NASBPsalm 133:1 KJV
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