Unity! Today’s reading is only three verses. Though the reading is short, it is powerful! By context, my chronological Bible reading plan places this Psalm right after all of Israel has come together and made David the king. As you may recall, David wasn’t made king over all of Israel upon Saul’s death, only Judah. Saul’s family still ruled over Israel for several more years. Finally, the Lord ended Saul’s dynasty, and Israel united and anointed David as their king (2 Samuel 5:1-5). Psalm 133:1 speaks to the pleasantness of this moment in Israel’s history.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psalm 133:1, KJV)
Imagine living in a nation where there was unity in God’s will! That would be pleasant! Imagine being in a church where there was unity in God’s will! Imagine a marriage and home life rooted in unity! How good this would be! The Psalmist David likens the pleasantness and goodness of unity to two things.
First, unity is likened to anointing oil.
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; (Psalm 133:2, KJV)
This oil was not just any oil! David references the anointing oil Moses used on Aaron. A perfumer or an apothecary blended this oil. It was blended according to a recipe, using the finest spices, some of which include liquid myrrh, sweet-smelling cinnamon, and aromatic cane (Exodus 30:22–25). The scent that diffused from this oil enlivened the senses much like a fine perfume! Now, the scent of a fine perfume versus the smell of something dead and rotting produces different reactions, doesn’t it? One is pleasant, and one is repulsive!
Second, unity is likened to dew.
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. (Psalm 133:3, KJV)
Unity is not only pleasant and enlivening; it is refreshing! It is pictured as the dew that refreshes life itself. Is there anything more refreshing after a hot, windy, and parched day than a calm, cool evening dew? How the dew waters the thirsty! How it softens what has become brittle! Oh, the stillness and quietness that it brings! It relieves tension, settles nerves, and softens turmoil. How good and how pleasant is unity! Unity had finally come to Israel with the anointing of David as king.
It doesn’t take much to realize how much we need unity. Unity starts with being in harmony with God. Sometimes, we try to fit God into our harmony, but that never works. We will be enlivened and refreshed as we live in agreement and unity with the Word of God. Is the Word of God diffusing its aroma in your life? Is the dew of God’s presence in your life refreshing you, though the days may be hot and windy sometimes? Unity with God is something we all have control over. It is pleasant! It is good! If we have unity with God, we will have unity with others who have unity with God. Now that combination is powerful, enlivening, and refreshing!
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Psalm 133.