Psalms

Psalms 133: The LORD blesses unity with life

Begin in prayer

Before David shows the goodness of brothers dwelling together, let us consider the quarrels we have allowed to grow. Ask God to bring us to Jesus and teach us to value the people He gathers.

Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary among them forever more.

Ezekiel 37:26

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the Lord commends unity among His people and gives blessing and lasting life. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David calls brothers dwelling together in unity good and pleasant. He compares it with precious oil poured upon Aaron's head. The oil runs down his beard to the edge of his robes. Unity is also like Hermon's dew upon Zion's hills, where the Lord gives blessing and life forever.

As you read Psalms 133, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD gives blessing and lasting life where brothers dwell together in the good and pleasant unity He commends.

Brothers dwelling together share more than a place, because the good and pleasant thing David names is their unity. Precious oil running from Aaron's head to his robes recalls the anointing of Israel's high priest. Its spread gives a picture of abundant goodness reaching through the whole scene. Dew brings moisture that refreshes the land, and Hermon's dew gives that second picture its richness. David joins the distant mountain and Zion's hills within the comparison. At Zion the Lord gives the blessing of life forever. The unity being praised therefore belongs beside God's gracious gift, giving His gathered people reason to value life together.

How does Psalm 133 show us that the LORD gives blessing and lasting life where brothers dwell together in the good and pleasant unity He commends?

The LORD commends the goodness of brothers dwelling in unity.

David calls their shared life good and pleasant. Precious oil running down Aaron's head and robes pictures that goodness. The comparison gives unity the warmth and abundance of something precious.

The LORD gives blessing and lasting life to His gathered people.

Hermon's dew pictures refreshing moisture on Zion's hills. There the Lord gives His blessing. The closing words name life forever, carrying the goodness of life together beyond the present gathering.

Memorise

See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!

Psalm 133:1

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what quarrel am I feeding instead of seeking peace through the Lord Jesus?

David says, “See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!” Oil flowing over Aaron's robes and dew upon the hills picture that goodness. The song ends where the Lord gives blessing and lasting life.

Our quarrels expose hearts that seek their own honour and sin against God. Ephesians 2 verses 14 to 16 say Christ made Jews and Gentiles one and reconciled them to God through the cross. Jesus carried His people's sins to the cross and died to reconcile them to God, answering the judgment their quarrels deserved. He rose again. His finished sacrifice is enough for their forgiveness and their welcome into God's people.

Turn from the pride that feeds quarrels, and trust Jesus Christ. All who come to Him receive forgiveness. Confess the quarrel you have fed and seek peace with those you have wronged. Those who belong to Him share one Saviour and lasting life, giving them reason to pursue the good of their brothers and sisters.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the Lord commends unity among His people and gives blessing and lasting life. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Ask God for peace among His people and thank Him for blessing and lasting life. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn’t know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you.

John 15:15

Lord of life, please forgive the proud words and grudges that divide us. Bring us to Jesus for the peace His finished sacrifice secures. Help our children confess their wrongs, forgive one another and value Your people. Give our congregation patient love and a shared delight in You. Thank You for the lasting life found in Your Son. Amen.