John Trapp
Psalm 133

Verse 1

Psalms 133:1 A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is. This David is thought to have said to the people, when, after eight years' unnatural war, they came together to Hebron, to anoint him king over all Israel (2 Sam. 5:1-5), Behold, be affected with that happiness of yours which no tongue can utter. Accipe quod sentitur antequam discitur, as Cyprian saith in another case.

How good and how pleasant. Precious and profitable, sweet and delectable, λιπαρον και λαμτρον, dainty and goodly, as Rev. 18:14. Communion of saints is the next happiness upon earth to communion with God.

For brethren. Whether by place, race; or grace, which last is the strongest tie; and should cause such a harmony of hearts as might resemble that concord and concent that shall be in heaven. The Thebans in their armies had a band of men they called the holy band; consisting of such only as were joined together in the bonds of love, as would live and die together; these they made great account of, and esteemed the strength of their armies, ιερος λοχος εξ εραστων και ερωμενων (Athenaeus, lib. 3).

To dwell together. Heb. even together, that is, even as God dwelleth with them (Psa. 132:13-14), to be "kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love," (Rom. 12:10), to be as those primitive Christians were (Acts 2:24-27), of one heart and of one soul. The number of two hath by the heathens been accounted accursed, because it was the first that departed from unity.

Verse 2

Psalms 133:2 [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;

It is like the precious ointment. This similitude setteth forth the pleasure and amenity of it; as the other (from the dew) the profit and commodity. Sic miscnit utile dulci. This ointment was most rich (as made up of the chiefest spices, Exod. 30:1-38), and very fragrant, refreshing the senses, not of Aaron oaly, but of all about him; so doth Christian unity and amity (that "fruit of the Spirit," Gal. 5:22) far beyond that common friendship so highly extolled by Cicero, and other heathens; and is therefore here fitly compared to that nonsuch odoriferous ointment.

Upon the head, that ran down upon the beard. So the Spirit of grace, that oil of gladness (Psa. 45:7), poured out abundantly, even to a redundancy, upon Christ the Head, runneth down upon all the members of his body mystical, even to the meanest, so that they have grace for grace.

Verse 3

Psalm 133:3 As the dew of Hermon, [and as the dew] that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, [even] life for evermore.

As the dew of Hermon. Moisteneth and maketh fertile the country of Bashan. Hermon is a very high hill ever covered with snow; whence ariseth a perpetual vapour, the original and fountain of dew, to all Jewry.

And as the dew that descended. The spiritual dew dispensed from God in Sion, where he is sincerely served.

For there the Lord commanded the blessing. A powerful expression, highly commending brotherly love as a complexive blessing and such as accompanieth salvation.