Psalms 133

A short psalm celebrating unity among God's people.

Psalms 133 - Unity Like Precious Ointment

Psalm 133 opens with a memorable exclamation, "how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity," a line captured fully in Psalms 133:1. It follows the covenant promises of Psalms 132 with a simple picture of harmony among God's people.


A Song of Ascents; of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard; even Aaron's beard, that cometh down upon the collar of his garments;

Like the dew of Hermon, that cometh down upon the mountains of Zion; for there HaShem commanded the blessing, even life for ever.

The psalmist pictures that unity as fragrant oil running down Aaron's beard and as refreshing dew from Hermon settling on the mountains of Zion, an image of shared blessing echoed in <a href="/bible/jps/1-corinthians/chapter-1/10">1 Corinthians 1:10</a>. See the <a href="/bible/jps/psalms">Psalms overview</a> or continue to <a href="/bible/jps/psalms/chapter-134">Psalms 134</a>.