Psalms 133:1-3 - Sermon Bible Commentary

Bible Comments

Psalms 133

I. Consider what we may not expect even for the sake of attaining so good a thing as Christian unity. (1) It is absurd and even wrong to suppose that each particular denomination should surrender its prominent witness to the specific truth for the sake of which we may almost say it exists, or in any way diminish the strength and emphasis of its testimony. (2) We cannot expect each other to think lightly of our differences. But the strength of our convictions need not make us un-brotherly towards each other, nor shut us off from those sympathies which should bind together the whole family of God.

II. Consider the unity that is within our reach without any compromise of principle. (1) Might we not promote unity by an occasional interchange of friendly services? (2) We may do much towards the furtherance of Christian unity by endeavouring to educate ourselves to a dispassionate estimate of the points in which we differ, and by assigning their proportionate value to those points in which we agree. (3) Above everything else, we should contribute towards Christian unity by recognising and keeping ever in view the true basis of unity. Unity, to be real, must begin within. The unity of the Gospel is primarily a unity of the Spirit, and it is to such unity as this that the text calls our attention. It is the unction of the Holy Spirit, which, resting first upon the great Head of the Church, descends even to the very skirts of His garments, makes all one by sanctifying all. The more we know in our own personal experience of that Divine unction, the more shall we be united to each other; and the higher we rise in fellowship with our Head, the more close and real will be the bond of brotherhood. These two things are always necessarily connected: the higher, the nearer;the more fellowship with God, the more communion with the children of God.

W. Hay Aitken, Newness of Life,p. 238.

References: Psalms 133 S. Cox, The Pilgrim Psalms,p. 286. Psalms 134:1. J. B. Heard, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxii., p. 268. Psalms 134:2. H. White, Contemporary Pulpit,vol. iv., p. 247.

Psalms 133:1-3

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell togethera 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.