A House United – Psalm 133

“A Song of Ascents. Of David.” [1]

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion, for there, the Lord commanded the blessing—life forevermore.” Psalm 133:1-3

Dwelling together in unity means more than simply avoiding arguments. It means loving one another, enjoying fellowship together, helping each other, and seeking each other’s good. [2]

David had many sons from different wives, and it is possible that he wrote this psalm to teach them the importance of loving one another. If they had followed this teaching, many troubles in his family could have been avoided. [4]

The tribes of Israel had often been divided during the time of the Judges, and this caused many problems. But now they were united under one king, and the ark of God had been brought to Jerusalem. The place of worship became the center that united them. David wanted them to understand the great blessing of living together in love. [5]

David exclaimed that unity between brothers is pleasant. Unity among God’s people is good because it agrees with God’s will.

In John 17:9-11, Jesus prayed that His Father would keep His disciples one as He and the Father are one. In other words, do not let distance grow between them. Let them remain steadfastly close to the Father even as He is close to the Father. “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. Holy Father, keep through Your Name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.” [3]

In John 17:20-23, Jesus prayed, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their Word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”

Our close walk with God... our rich relationship with Him from which we derive His love, His joy, His peace, His patience, His forgiveness, His gentleness, and the blessed assurance of eternal life, helps the world to believe that God did send Jesus, and that He alone is Messiah.

Living in a world that is so divided, it is good to know that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is praying for us and working with us as we seek to be peacemakers and advocate for unity.

In Matthew 12:49-50, Jesus redrafted the boundaries of family, neighbor, and household, saying, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother, sister, and mother.”

“The achievement of communion (koinonia) is the proper work of the Spirit of God. The Spirit gathers together in Christ persons who would not otherwise gather, making possible a true union of hearts and minds, the ground of which resides not in individual differences – age, gender, opinions, abilities – but in the very being of God.

The Spirit accomplishes unity-amidst-diversity, a communion that abolishes solitariness but not individuality. The uniqueness of the Spirit’s personhood lies in what the Spirit does: uniting everyone and everything with God through Jesus Christ.

It is impossible to think or speak of the Spirit except as the Spirit-of. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, Spirit of Christ; the Spirit of the Christian community.” [4]

The Lord compared unity to the holy anointing oil that was poured on Aaron, the high priest. The oil was very valuable and had a beautiful fragrance. It flowed down from Aaron’s head to his beard and the collar of his clothing. [5]

This pouring forth of the anointing oil on Aaron teaches us several things about brotherly love. The oil was holy. In the same way, our love for others should be holy and come from a pure heart. The oil was made according to God’s instructions. In the same way, we Christians love one another as Christ loved us. The oil was for a special purpose. God’s anointing upon us helps us to love people that we would not otherwise love. The oil brought joy to Aaron and those around him. Aaron and his sons could not serve God as priests until they were anointed with this oil. In 1 Corinthians 13:1-2, our service to God is worthless without love. [6]

Unity is like dew because it brings refreshment. Dew cools the earth and helps plants grow. [7] In the same way, God’s love covers a multitude of sins, and helps people grow in grace.

Unity is like “the dew of Hermon.” Hermon needed refreshing dew. Without love, individuals, families, communities and churches become dry and weak. [8]

In Micah 5:7, we read, “It is said of the dew that it tarries not for man, nor waits for the sons of men.” In the same way, our love for others should not depend on whether they love us first. We should show love because God has placed that love in our hearts. [9]

Where believers live together in unity, “the Lord commands the blessing.” God alone has the power to give true blessing. People can ask for blessings, but only God can command them to happen. [10]

Those who live in love are showing that they belong to God, because “God is love.” Living in love is a sign that we already belong to heaven, because perfect love fills heaven. [11]

Those who live in peace and love will experience God’s presence now and will one day live with Him forever in a place of complete love and peace. [12]

In Mark 3:25, Jesus said, “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” This statement being factually true infers that a house united will stand. Not only that, but the quality of life that unity yields will be worth the effort to keep it that way.


[1] “The Song of Ascents” (Psalms 120–134) are songs to sing as one journeys toward God.
[2-3] Material developed, added to and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary
[4] LaCugna, Catherine Mowry, God For Us ~ The Trinity & Christian Life, Harper Collins Publishers, © 1973, pp. 293-295, 298
[5-12] Material developed, added to and edited from Matthew Henry’s Commentary