Living Together In Harmony

Psalm 133

A song for the ascent to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.

1How wonderful it is, how pleasant,

when brothers live together in harmony!

2For harmony is as precious as the fragrant anointing oil

that was poured over Aaron’s head,

that ran down his beard

and onto the border of his robe.

3Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon

that falls on the mountains of Zion.

And the LORD has pronounced his blessing,

even life forevermore.

In 1881 the American Greeley Expedition faced a long winter in the Arctic Circle. With a four-and-a-half-month night ahead of them, the commander knew that if his men didn’t live together in harmony, the expedition would fail. So they gathered in their winter house and read Psalm 133.

We don’t know if this psalm had been written when David was crowned king over all twelve Israelite tribes. It certainly would have been appropriate then.

But three centuries later there was another celebration of unity when King Hezekiah invited the northern kingdom to come to worship in Jerusalem in the southern kingdom (2 Chronicles 30). Ever since the division of the kingdom after Solomon, the people of the northern kingdom had never gone to Jerusalem to worship. Many laughed at the invitation, but some went, and what a time they had—so much so that they continued the celebration for seven additional days. The Jewish historian Josephus records how the Levites sang psalms and played on their harps, and the rest of the priests responded with blasts on their trumpets. No doubt Psalm 133 would have been a favorite.

What a day that will be as well when all Christians come together in harmony in the heavenly Jerusalem. But why wait until then? Let’s try to get some dress rehearsals organized before then.

Be this our common enterprise:

That truth be preached and prayer arise,

That each may seek the other’s good,

And live and love as Jesus would.

FREDERICK K. BREWSTER

Bible Networking

The oil in verse 2 becomes especially precious when we realize that it symbolizes the Holy Spirit. See also 1 John 2:20, 27.

Notable Quotable

“Love in the Spirit is the dew which is a symbol and channel of the eternal love and blessing of God.”

F. B. MEYER