The Beauty of Unity: Living Together in God’s Blessing
Psalm 133

Unity among God’s people is a sacred gift; it reflects the heart of God and invites His abundant blessings. Psalm 133, a Song of Ascents, captures this truth with vivid imagery and profound implications for our lives. For festivals like Passover, thousands would make their way toward Jerusalem at one time. The roads would burst with people as they all made their way up toward Jerusalem. As pilgrims sang this psalm while journeying, they celebrated the joy of dwelling together in unity. Today, this same unity remains a beautiful, divine gift that mirrors God’s heart and points to our eternal hope. Let us explore Psalm 133 and consider how we can live together in God’s blessing.

The Delight of Unity (Psalm 133:1)

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Ps 133:1).

The psalmist begins with an exclamation of joy. Imagine for a moment pushing yourself away from the table after enjoying your very favorite meal – full and delighted as you proclaim, “My, that was just delicious. I loved it!” Now, put yourself along the road with all these pilgrims from every tribe of Israel as they made their way to the Holy City together to celebrate God by participation in a festival like Passover. They are full of joy.

Unity among God’s people is both good and pleasant. It is good because it aligns with God’s design for His people, as Jesus expressed in His final prayer before the cross in John 17. It is pleasant because it brings delight to our souls to live as God intended for us to live. When believers dwell together in harmony, they experience a beautiful foretaste of heaven. Together, as followers of Jesus Christ today, we share in this wonderful unity – not mere agreement or uniformity; it is a shared commitment to God’s purposes, rooted in love and grace.

Again, for a moment, consider the pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem. They came from different tribes, backgrounds, and experiences: yet, they journeyed together toward a common goal with a shared purpose – worshipping God. Their unity was a testimony to God’s faithfulness. Likewise, when we dwell together in unity, we reflect the heart of God and demonstrate the reality of Jesus Christ to a watching world. Unity is a gift to celebrate, for it brings joy to our hearts and glory to our God.

Before pressing on to the next verse, allow me to emphasize one other aspect of this verse, the word dwell. The psalmist recognizes that this unity is best enjoyed when we dwell together. Dwelling is different than simply existing or visiting or borrowing. Dwelling implies the space is yours, you enjoy all of it, and you feel at home. In this text, the psalmist implies that we dwell together – as brothers and sisters-in-Christ, we enjoy each other and our wonderful God through Jesus Christ.

The Blessings of Unity (Psalm 133:2-3)

The psalmist illustrates the beauty of unity with two powerful images: precious oil and the dew of Mount Hermon.

Like Precious Oil (v. 2)

“It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments” (Ps 133:2).

The anointing of Aaron as high priest was a sacred moment. Aaron was the first high priest. This had never been done before in the history of the Israelites. God had recently given the Law, including the special role for the Levites. In this beautiful moment of celebration, the people were coming together to see Aaron chosen as the first high priest. With this ceremony, he is set apart unto God – a high and holy calling. The people were all gathered and watching. They waited with baited breath to see this special moment of consecration. Their anticipation was high, and their hearts were sensitive to God’s work in the midst of them. Then, at the appointed time, the precious oil, carefully prepared according to God’s instructions, was poured over Aaron’s head, symbolizing God’s consecration and blessing. This oil did not merely rest on Aaron’s head; it flowed down, covering his beard and garments, signifying an overflowing blessing.

Unity among God’s people is like this precious oil. It is sacred, set apart, and overflowing with God’s favor. As God’s people who gather in the name of Jesus Christ, live for the glory of Jesus Christ, and walk in Jesus Christ, we understand what a joy it is to see God work in and among His people. When we live in harmony, God’s blessings cascade through our relationships, touching every aspect of our lives. In this way, unity is not static; it is dynamic – spreading grace and blessing to all who participate in it.

Like the Dew of Mount Hermon (v. 3)

“It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion” (Ps 133:3a).

Mount Hermon, located in the northern part of Israel, was known for its heavy dew and springs, which served as the headwaters of the Jordan River. This life-giving moisture sustained the land, eventually reaching as far south as Jerusalem. Think about the gift of God to each one of them in the measure of dew. This dry arid land between the northern and most southern portions of Israel would leave people desperate for water. The Jordan River snakes from north to south through Israel and brought the much-needed water that sustained life of the people.

The psalmist compares unity to this dew, a refreshing and life-giving gift that nourishes God’s people.

Just as the dew from Mount Hermon sustained the land, unity sustains the life of the church. It refreshes our souls and fosters an environment where God’s blessings can flourish. When we dwell together in unity, we create a space where God’s grace flows freely, bringing life and hope to all.

The Lord’s Gift of Unity (Psalm 133:3)

“For there the LORD commanded the blessing—life forevermore” (Ps 133:3b).

Unity is not merely a human achievement; it is a divine gift. God commands His blessing where His people dwell together in unity. This blessing is most visibly displayed in the sanctuary, where God’s people gather to worship. Unity reflects God’s presence and favor, and it promotes life that continues – both now and into eternity. The joy of unity we experience today is just the beginning; we have all of eternity to look forward to God’s even greater blessings of being with our Triune God and each other.

The sanctuary in Jerusalem was the focal point of worship, where God’s presence dwelt. Today, the church is the sanctuary, where believers gather as the body of Christ. When we unite in worship and fellowship, we experience and enjoy the best we can on this side of heaven God’s commanded blessing. Yet, this blessing is not simply temporary; it points to the eternal life we have in Christ. Unity is a foretaste of the perfect fellowship we will enjoy in heaven.

What does this mean for us?

Psalm 133 offers profound implications for how we live as God’s people. Consider with me for a moment how this truth applies to our lives today.

1. Unity is a gift to celebrate.

Unity is a beautiful, sacred gift from God. Just as the pilgrims journeyed together to Jerusalem, we can celebrate the privilege of walking together as God’s people – brothers and sisters in Christ from every walk of life. Unity is not just a nice idea; it mirrors the oneness of the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and is only possible as we are in Christ and experience the power of the Spirit. It also points to our eternal hope in Christ. When we dwell together in unity, we demonstrate the reality of Jesus Christ to a watching world. Together, in Christ with love for each other, we share growth, laughter, sorrow, work, and blessings. This is a cause for great celebration, for it reflects God’s heart and glorifies His name.

2. Unity requires intentional effort.

The psalm calls us to “dwell together” in unity. This is not automatic; it requires effort. The pilgrims who sang this psalm were diverse, yet they journeyed together. Likewise, we are different – different backgrounds, personalities, and preferences. Divisions, whether theological, cultural, or personal, threaten our unity. Yet God provides the grace of His blessings, like oil and dew, when we cooperate together.

We must do our part, where we start in our own hearts and with our own worship of Jesus Christ. As we are right with God, we become part of the greater celebration of the whole. Importantly, we must remember that unity demands humility, forgiveness, understanding, and love. We practice these together through prayer, grace, service, and kindness. Growing relationships and genuine affection for one another are benefits of this effort. As we seek to dwell together, we must rely on God’s grace to overcome differences and build bridges of love.

3. Unity invites greater blessings.

The psalm promises “life forevermore” through unity. Consider the joy of watching Aaron anointed with oil, or the refreshment of dew rolling off Mount Hermon. Now, consider the joy that can be ours when we dwell together in unity. Our unity reflects Jesus Christ, answers His prayer in John 17, and fulfills His command to love one another. Moreover, our unity becomes a testimony that draws others to Christ. When we live in unity, we invite God’s commanded blessing into our lives and our churches.

What about you today?

Psalm 133 challenges us to examine our hearts and actions. Have you responded to Jesus Christ in faith, embracing Him as your Savior and Lord? All unity begins with a personal relationship with Him. Further, do you recognize unity as the beautiful gift it is from God? Do you see its importance both corporately in the church and individually in your relationships? If you are saved and married to another follower of Jesus, the home is the first place we ought to experience how sweet it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. One more question, How can your participation in your own church even this next weekend increase our unity as followers of Jesus Christ and God’s blessings among us?

Let us commit to pursuing unity with intentionality. Seek forgiveness where needed, extend grace to others, and serve one another in love. Pray for unity in your church and relationships. And, by God’s grace, let us dwell together in unity, reflecting His heart and inviting His commanded blessing – life forevermore.

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For more on unity: 5 Key Characteristics of Walking with Christ: Unity of the Spirit