Studies in the Psalms - Psalm 133

The message of Psalm 133 is a simple one, it is a call for unity amongst God’s people.

Psalm 133:1

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

Paul instructed us in Ephesians 4:1-3 to “…walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”  Yes, there is a common unity we share as Paul states in Ephesians 4:4-5, “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—  one Lord, one faith, one baptism,” but the church today is splintered off into segments that cannot even agree on baptism and communion, which are meant to unify us under Christ. Serve in just about any ministry and you will see the dissension that often hinders our work. We need help. Jesus knew we would. The psalmist goes on to tell us what unity looks like.

Psalm 133:2
It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!

When Aaron was anointed high priest, oil was poured on his head. Oil in the Bible is symbol of the Holy Spirit and all believers have been anointed with the Oil of God’s Spirit. It is through the Holy Spirit by which we are empowered to humble ourselves and therefore we can dwell in unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is only our sinful pride that prevents us from walking in the Spirit and being the functional body of Christ we are called to be.

Psalm 133:3
It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.

Just as oil is a picture of the Holy Spirit, dew symbolizes the Word of God. Dew refreshes the grass upon which it falls and God’s Word is the morning water we need each day.

Where is the “there” that this psalm says commands the blessing? For the psalmist, it spoke of Zion and Jerusalem, but for Christians it speaks of unity in the Body of Christ. And to dwell in unity we need the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Both come down from God, they are not things we can create within ourselves.

Yes, there is coming a day of perfect unity amongst Christians. When Christ returns and the New Heaven and the New Earth are in place, all will be right. But until that day, we have work to do. That work can be better accomplished through unity. Jesus tells us to die to ourselves and that is the key to living, working, and worshipping God in unity. It can be accomplished, but only if we devote ourselves to God’s Word and allow the Holy Spirit to be our guide and teacher.

I close with a great scripture reading to ponder today as we consider Psalm 133.

Hebrews 12:28-29
 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

Without unity, our corporate worship falls short. So, let us worship Him with reverence and awe. Let us worship in unity.