The Unity Psalm

(Psalm 133:1-3)

Introduction: The unbelieving Greek writer Lucian (A.D. 120-200) upon observing the warm fellowship of Christians said: “It is incredible to see the fervor with which the people of that religion help each other in their wants. They spare nothing. Their first legislator (Jesus) has put it into their heads that they are brethren.” (Paul Lee Tan #3784)

A Song Of Ascension or Climbing - As we approach the brief magnificence of this Psalm we note the inscription designating this as a Psalm, or Song, of degrees, that is of ascents. This was possibly a song chanted by the people as they would make their way up to Jerusalem at the time of the feasts. A Song Of Application or Connection - The connection, according to the inscription, is to David. He is the writer, and he would certainly recognize the desirability of unity among brethren. He had been acquainted with a certain amount of discord among his brethren, and he had certainly known strife among his children. However, we also clearly understand that David has experienced the unity and the brotherly love about which he writes. “This psalm,” writes John Gill, “was penned by David, as some think when all the tribes of Israel united and chose and anointed him king over them.” (See 2 Samuel 2:4; 3:1; 5:1-3,12).

I want to magnify some gleanings about Unity from this Psalm. First... I. Let’s Consider The Design Of Unity

A. It Is God’s Design That We Look At Unity (Psalms 133:1) A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Behold it is a rare thing, and therefore admirable. Behold and wonder that there should be so much goodness and pleasantness among men, so much of heaven on this earth! Behold it is an amiable thing, which will attract our hearts. Behold it is an exemplary thing, which, where it is, is to be imitated by us with a holy emulation. (Matthew Henry) [Behold] As if he looked upon such a gathering, and saw there the expressions of mutual love. This may have been uttered in the actual contemplation of such an assemblage; or it may have been a picture of the imagination. (Barnes’ Notes) 1. Beholding Unity Is Looking At Something Definite behold – Hebrew OT:2009. hineeh, certainly, surely, literally lo! pointing to persons or things (Brown-Driver-Briggs) 2. Beholding Unity Is Looking At Something Discernible behold – Hebrew 2009. hinneh, hin-nay'; prol. for H2005; lo!:-- lo, see.

B. It Is God’s Design That We Live In Unity (Psalms 133:1) A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 1. There Is An Element Of Being Settled dwell – Hebrew 3427. yashab, yaw-shab'; a prim. root; prop. to sit down (spec. as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by impl. to dwell, to remain: causat. to settle, to marry. 2. There Is An Element Of Being Similar together – Hebrew 3162. yachad, yakh'-ad; from H3161; prop. a unit, i.e. (adv.) unitedly:--alike, at all (once), both, likewise, only, withal. (Genesis 13:8) And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. This is not to be understood of all mankind, who are in some sense brethren, being all of one blood; nor merely of those of the same nation, under one and the same government, who should endeavour to live peaceably and quietly; nor of brethren in a strict natural state, who belong to the same family, and are of the same parents, and should be kindly affectioned one to another; but rather of such who are so in a spiritual sense, who have God for their fatherly adoption and regeneration, ... a reason why they should love as brethren, and endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (John Gill) (Matthew 23:8) But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. (1 Peter 2:17) Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. (1 Peter 3:8) Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: (Hebrews 13:1) Let brotherly love continue. Not just brethren in the Human Family or the Home Family, but brethren in the Heavenly Family. (1 John 3:14) We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. II. Let’s Consider The Delight Of Unity The combination of the two adjectives used here is as amazing as the unifying of two opposing forces.

A. Unity Is An Excellent Virtue (Psalms 133:1) Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 1. The Excellence Of This Virtue Is Highlighted And Bold how – Hebrew 4100. mah, maw; a prim. particle; prop. interrog. what? (includ. how? why? when?); but also exclamatory what! (including how!), or indef. what (includ. whatever, and even rel. that which); often used with prefixes in various adv. or conj. senses The writer does not attempt to measure the good and the pleasant but says ‘behold for yourself how good and how pleasant.’ 2. The Excellence Of This Virtue Is Huge And Bountiful good – Hebrew 2896. towb, tobe; from H2895; good (as an adj.) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masc. and the fem., the sing. and the plur. (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adv. (well):--beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, X fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, X most, pleasant, + pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well ([-favoured]).

B. Unity Is An Enjoyable Virtue (Psalms 133:1) Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! pleasant – Hebrew 5273. na'iym, naw-eem'; from H5276; delightful (obj. or subj., lit. or fig.):-- sweet. 5276. na'em, naw-ame'; a prim. root; to be agreeable (lit. or fig.):--pass in beauty, be delight, be pleasant, be sweet. We cannot assume that just because a thing is good, it is also pleasant. On the contrary, so much of what is pleasurable is evil. (Check reference) It is a pleasant thing for the saints and people of God to agree together; for the same word which is used here for “pleasant,” is used also in the Hebrew for a harmony of music, such as when they rise to the highest strains of the viol, when the strings are all put in order to make up a harmony. The same word is used also in the Hebrew for the pleasantness of a corn field. When a field is clothed with corn, it is very pleasant. The same word in the Psalm is used also for the sweetness of honey, and of sweet things in opposition to bitter things. (William Bridge) 1. Unity Is Pleasant Like The Sweet Honey 2. Unity Is Pleasant Like The Sweet Harvest 3. Unity Is Pleasant Like The Sweet Harmony It is as if David is saying, “How sweet it is!”

III. Let’s Consider The Description Of Unity

A. Unity Is Like The Pouring Of The Fragrant Mixture (Psalms 133:2) 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; cf. Exodus 29:7, 30:23-31 (Exodus 29:7) Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him. The anointing of Aaron and other priests is mentioned, and not the anointing of a king, or of David himself, because the anointing of Aaron was first, and also more public and better known by the people. (John Gill) 1. Notice Its Descent (Psalms 133:2) 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; It flows from the head, which is Christ Cf. (Colossians 1:18) And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 2. Notice Its Diffusion (Psalms 133:2) 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; It went in all directions This was typical of the grace of the Spirit, the unction from the Holy One; which has been poured on Christ, the head of the church, without measure; and with which he has been anointed above his fellows; and from him it is communicated to all his members. (John Gill) ran down upon the beard – [Hebrew 2206. zaqan] the beard (as indicating age): --beard. (The indication of the aged first.) B. It Is Like The Permeation Of The Fresh Moisture 1. Dewpoint #1 – Notice The Shroud Of Hermon’s Dew A traveller, one of our own country, and whose fidelity is to be depended on, lying in tents near this hill one night, says, “We were sufficiently instructed by experience what the holy psalmist means by the dew of Hermon; our tents being as wet with it as if it had rained all night.” (John Gill) 2. Dewpoint #2 – Notice The Significance Of Hermon’s Dew dew - Warm water droplets condensed from the air, usually at night, onto cool surfaces. Both Hermon and Zion will wither without this dew. It is said of the dew that it tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men, (Micah 5:7). Nor should our love to our brethren stay for theirs to us (that is publican's love), but should go before it – that is divine love. (Matthew Henry) (Micah 5:7) And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men.

Briefly... Let’s Consider The Dynamic Of Unity (Matthew 18:19) Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

As God looked on the selfish purposes at Babel, He recognized the strength of unity… (Genesis 11:6) And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

Conclusion:

In 1765 John Fawcett was called to pastor a very small congregation at Wainsgate, England. He labored there diligently for 7 years, but his salary was so meager that he and his wife could scarcely obtain the necessities of life. Though the people were poor, they compensated for this lack by their faithfulness and warm fellowship.

Then Dr. Fawcett received a call from a much larger church in London, and after lengthy consideration decided to accept the invitation. As his few possessions were being placed in a wagon for moving, many of his parishioners came to say good-bye. Once again they pleaded with him to reconsider.

Touched by this great outpouring of love, he and his wife began to weep. Finally Mrs. Fawcett exclaimed, “O John, I just can’t bear this. They need us so badly here.” “God has spoken to my heart, too!” he said. “Tell them to unload the wagon! We cannot break these wonderful ties of fellowship.”

This experience inspired Fawcett to write a hymn. “Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love! The fellowship of kindred mind is like to that above.”

—H.G. Bosch (Paul Lee Tan # 3772)