Psalms of Ascents – Psalm 133
Nov 24 in Steps of Ascent
This Psalm may have only three verses but there is so much allegory in it that it has proven really hard to condense to a bite-size.
‘How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity’ King David knew the value of unity, he was told in 2 Samuel 12:10 that the sword would never depart from his house and it really was so; his son Amnon raped his half-sister Tamar who was then revenge killed by her brother Absalom. He was banished by David and the relationship never truly restored. Rejection and hurt turned to hate and rebellion resulting in death. His other son Adonijah tried to usurp the throne from his brother Solomon and so it was constant discord and suffering.
Divide and conquer. So true. In Genesis 11: 6 God said: “The people are united…nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them!” Strength in unity, just like the body which has many members and each one its specific function (Romans 12) which work together as one. There are only five musical notes, yet properly combined can produce the most harmonious melodies. Ants working together can carry objects 20 times their weight and size. Nothing too difficult.
Unity is then compared to the anointing oil that was used on Aaron (Exodus 29) to consecrate him as a priest. The oil (always representative of the Holy Spirit) flowed down from the head to every other part of the body (touching every member). In the same way as we walk in unity the Holy Spirit and his anointing flows from the head (that is Christ) to every other member of the body (the Church) enabling us to walk in His ways and become a habitation of God, a dwelling place that we may meet with Him. So important that every part of the body take its rightful place, for then, in unity each member operates under His instruction successfully, fulfilling the purpose for which they were created as they work together with every other part. It cannot operate independently from the rest of the body (1 Corinthians 12:13-27).
Unity is also compared to the dew of Hermon which is known as the highest mountain north of Israel. Every morning its vegetation is covered in dew that can be so heavy as to drop from the plants into streams that can become rivers of blessing for the areas surrounding the mountain, making the land fertile and fruitful. In the same way as we flow together in unity under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, this will become in us like rivers of living water springing up to eternal life to those around, bringing blessing. Life Forever.
“… his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1