# 372 A journey through the Psalms. Psalm 133. Unity – so good and pleasant, but is it possible?

Unity! “When there is unity, people are in agreement and act together for a particular purpose.” https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/unity#google_vignette

 The good news is, that we do actually see displays of unity in our world at times and it is so good to see. The sad news though, is that generally, as human beings all living on the same planet, enjoying all the blessings of this experience, suffering many of the same problems as each other, we display an overwhelming and disheartening amount of disunity.

Just consider the present world situation with conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Hamas, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Kosovo and Serbia as well as civil war in, for example, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Libya, Mali, Somalia, South Sudan, and Syria. In fact, there are at least 32 countries presently where there is some form of conflict impacting dramatically the lives of millions of people.

Israel of old experienced both times of unity and sadly, many times of disunity and so Psalm 133 was (and remains) very relevant. The psalmist writes:

A song of ascents. Of David.

¹ How good and pleasant it is
    when God’s people live together in unity!

² It is like precious oil poured on the head,
    running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
    down on the collar of his robe.
³ It is as if the dew of Hermon
    were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
    even life forevermore.

We have no idea concerning the occasion when this wonderful psalm was written. In our imaginations we could maybe envisage a joyful family reunion, a wedding with much happiness and celebration, or a gathering of like-minded people giving thanks for each other and the appreciation of life lived as God would have it to be. It is a great picture of unity that is good and pleasant. This whole experience is here described as being a blessing from the Lord, the One who alone gives to his people life forevermore.

In fact, there are two metaphors which endeavour to reveal just how good and pleasant this experience of unity is.

The first suggests it is like precious oil “which is a measure of extravagance and well-being (cf. Mark 14:3-9; Luke 7:46), of blessing beyond expectation.” (# 2) We note the “extravagance” in how this oil is used, i.e., poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.

Secondly, “the celebrated unity is like the dew… which is given miraculously and which gives life in an otherwise parched context (cf. Hosea 14:5).” (# 2)

Although, today. we may not identify ourselves easily with either of these metaphors, it was not a problem for the Israelites of the day. These were both natural and good and pleasant events.

“Psalm 133 reflects Israel’s capacity to appreciate the common joys of life and to attribute them to the well-ordered generosity of Yahweh.” (# 2)

But how relevant is all this to our world in our day where there is such disunity and even conflict?

It certainly seems to be an ideal, and one which so often appears unreachable, particularly in a world where so often God and his Word are ignored and even blatantly disregarded.

But this psalm is one of hope, as Brueggemann suggests: “The poem anticipates the solidarity and harmony of all humanity as it lives without defensiveness in a creation benevolent enough to care for all.” (# 2)

Paul summarizes that time as follows:

With all wisdom and understanding, ⁹ he[God] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, ¹⁰ to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. (Ephesians 1:8-10)

If you have time read and reflect upon the prayer of Jesus in John 17 and particularly consider the following verses:

 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹ that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you… ²² I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— ²³ I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 17:20-23)

So, how are you contributing to this unity in your family, neighbourhood, church?

⁵ May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. ⁶ Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:5-6)