Psalm 133:1,Psalm 133:2

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 133:1

(1) In unity.—Better, altogether. The Hebrew particle gam, here used with the word “together,” is in our version sometimes rendered “yea,” when it plainly should be taken with the adjective to intensify it exactly like our “all.” (See, for instance, Psalms 25:3; 2 Samuel 19:30.) The common idiom, gam shenayîm, “all two” (i.e., both), exactly like the French tous deux, and the German alle beide, decides this. Many commentators, rendering also together, see an emphasis on the gathering for the... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Psalms 133:1-3

Psalms 133:0 The American Greely Expedition went into their winter house in 1881, amid the eternal ice and snow of the Arctic Circle, with a night before them of four months and a half. They arranged their reckoning of time so as to keep their Sabbath, and have a religious service, including the reading of the Psalms. The first Sabbath contained Psalm CXXXIII., and the Commander brought before the men the duty of brotherly feeling, and his hope that every one would endeavour to cherish a... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 133:1-3

Psalms 133:1-3IT is natural to suppose that this psalm was occasioned by, or at least refers to, the gathering of the pilgrims or restored exiles in Jerusalem. The patriot-poet’s heart glows at the sight of the assembled multitudes, and he points with exultation to the good and fair sight. Like the other short psalms in this group, this one is the expression of a single thought-the blessing of unity, and that not merely as shown in the family, but in the church state of the restored Israel. The... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Psalms 133:1-3

Psalm 120-134 The Psalms of Degrees Fifteen brief Psalms follow, called songs of degrees, or, ascents. They were in all probability used by Israel going up to Jerusalem three times a year to celebrate the feasts of the Lord--”Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, a testimony for Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.” They are indeed Psalms of “the goings-up” for we rise higher and higher as we read through them. Prophetically they give us again the steps from trial and... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 133:1

133:1 [A Song of degrees of David.] Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] for brethren to dwell {a} together in unity!(a) Because the greatest part was against David, though some favoured him, yet when he was established king at length, they joined all together like brothers: and therefore he shows by these similarities the convenience of brotherly love. read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Psalms 133:1-3

This group is differentiated by the title attached to each: “A Song of Degrees” or “A Song of Ascents.” The title seems derived from the going up of the people to Jerusalem at the great festivals which came three times a year. (Compare Deuteronomy 16:16 ; 1 Kings 12:27-28 , etc.); the thought being that they chanted the psalms at different stages in their journey. The pertinency of this application of these psalms is more apparent in some than others. For example, Psalms 121:0 represents the... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Psalms 133:1

CONTENTS Our old Bibles make a very brief account in summing up the contents of this Psalm, but they say a vast deal in few words; they call it The benefit of the communion of saints! And indeed the church being one in Christ, and with Christ, nothing can be more evident, than that this is the whole scope of it. A Song of Degrees of David. Psalms 133:0 Reader! first behold Jesus in this Psalm. He is the glorious Head, from whose life-giving, soul-awakening, soul-cleansing, soul-transforming,... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Psalms 133:1

Canticle. David composed it for the Levites going on duty, (Haydock) or Solomon for the dedication of the temple. The people might use it on the last day of the three great festivals; or the Levites are exhorted to watch carefully. They may excite each other, (ver. 2.; Calmet) as all Christians should do, 1 Peter ii. 9. (Berthier) --- In the courts, &c., seems to be taken from Psalm cxxxiv. 2., (Calmet) as it is not in Hebrew. (St. Hilary) --- The court of the people was divided for the... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Psalms 133:1-3

The Blessing of Brotherly Unity. A song of degrees of David, in which he sets forth the blessings of true unity as it should obtain between brothers, friends, and members of the same church or church-body. Cf Ephesians 4:3-Joshua :. v. 1. Behold, the psalmist's purpose being to set before our eyes the picture which he has in mind by inspiration of the Lord, how good and how pleasant, a source of delight and bliss, it is for brethren to dwell together in unity, in full agreement with the... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Psalms 133:1-3

Psalms 133:0A Song of Degrees of David Behold how good and how pleasant it isFor brethren to dwell together in unity!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;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.EXEGETICAL AND CRITICALContents and Composition.—The praise of fraternal unity... read more