PSALM 133

 

THE PSALMS

A study of the Eucharistic psalms in the post Pentecost season

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
16 August 2020

PSALM 133 – The Unity of the Family

This Psalm is an eloquent affirmation of family or tribal solidarity. As you can see it is noticeably short and to the point. It does not offer arguments but merely illustrates with evocative images what the poet wants to celebrate – what we want to have and celebrate!

The opening line celebrates the experience. The conclusion identifies the experience as blessing. It is interesting to note that God’s name is not mentioned. God does nothing, but is acknowledged to be the hidden source of such well-being

1          Behold how good and how lovely it is:
    when brothers live together in unity.

This verse is the big “O” of exclamation, almost like a reminiscence of longing for something past, like we think about things before lockdown. It is likely that poet is remembering good things that took place in the past – particularly at that last renewal festival or when the family visited last Christmas. God’s world is full of goodness and cheer!

2          It is fragrant as oil upon the head
    that runs down over the beard:
    fragrant as oil upon the beard of Aaron
    that ran down over the collar of his robe.

When we visit our friends, we often bring a small gift, some flowers or even some chocolate to express our friendship. It is an ancient Middle Eastern custom to pour fragrant oil on the head of a venerated senior that flows down his long flowing beard to the edges of his garment. 

In the ancient times, and even today, in the Middle East an old man with a long flowing beard was the epitome of manliness, beauty, and dignity. It makes us think of Mary Magdalene who poured precious oil on Jesus’ feet in the time before his crucifixion (John 11.2). It is a wonderful image of warmth and community.

3          It is like a dew of Hermon:
    like the dew that falls upon the hill of Zion.

Those hot dry days make the fall of dew the following morning a pleasure as the garden, veld or forest waken to a refreshing layer of cool liquid. Mount Hermon, in the north of Israel is noted for its dryness and of the dew that falls in the morning during the summer months. The poet including the mention of Zion, and home of Jerusalem, makes the connection that it is the place of unity.

4          For there the Lord has commanded his blessing:
    which is life for evermore.

With things all charmingly at peace, with people being together in harmony it is a place of blessing. Think of those times when worship has been especially wonderful and everyone felt close to each other, it is there that God not only gives His blessing, but He ‘commands’ his blessing. 

The psalm is so like the doxology that we sing at end our worship services as it reminds us that we have been blessed and are blessed.

Thank you Fr Graham Alston for your weekly interpretation of the appointed psalms.