Psalms 133 · Verse 1

Psalms 133:1

A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Psalms 133:1, King James Version

Psalms 133:1 in other translations

BSBA song of ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!
WEBA Song of Ascents. By David. See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!
ASVA Song of Ascents; of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!
YLTA Song of the Ascents, by David. Lo, how good and how pleasant The dwelling of brethren--even together!
DARBYA Song of degrees. Of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
BBESee how good and how pleasing it is for brothers to be living together in harmony!
WebsterA Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

What does Psalms 133:1 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 133:1-2

Psa 133:1-3. The blessings of fraternal unity.

1-2. As the fragrant oil is refreshing, so this affords delight. The holy anointing oil for the high priest was olive oil mixed with four of the best spices (Ex 30:22, 25, 30). Its rich profusion typified the abundance of the Spirit's graces. As the copious dew, such as fell on Hermon, falls in fertilizing power on the mountains of Zion, so this unity is fruitful in good works.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Introduction

The comfort and benefit of the communion of saints, Psa 133:1-3. There are different opinions concerning this Psalm; the most probable is, that it represents the priests and Levites returned from captivity, and united in the service of God in the sanctuary. This, the preceding, and the following, appear to make one subject. In the one hundred and thirty-second, the Lord is entreated to enter his temple, and pour out his benediction; in the one hundred and thirty-third, the beautiful order and harmony of the temple service is pointed out, and in the one hundred and thirty-fourth, all are exhorted to diligence and watchfulness in the performance of their duty. It is attributed to David by the Hebrew, the Syriac, and the Vulgate; but no name is prefixed in the Septuagint, Ethiopic, Arabic, and Anglo-Saxon. Verse 1 Behold, how good and how pleasant - Unity is, according to this scripture, a good thing and a pleasant; and especially among brethren - members of the same family, of the same Christian community, and of the same nation. And why not among the great family of mankind? On the other hand, disunion is bad and hateful. The former is from heaven; the latter, from hell.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
The excellency of brotherly love. --We cannot say too much, it were well if enough could be said, to persuade people to live together in peace. It is good for us, for our honour and comfort; and brings constant delight to those who live in unity. The pleasantness of this is likened to the holy anointing oil. This is the fruit of the Spirit, the proof of our union with Christ, and adorns his gospel. It is profitable as well as pleasing; it brings blessings numerous as the drops of dew. It cools the scorching heat of men's passions, as the dews cool the air and refresh the earth. It moistens the heart, and makes it fit to receive the good seed of the word, and to make it fruitful. See the proof of the excellency of brotherly love: where brethren dwell together in unity, the Lord commands the blessing. God commands the blessing; man can but beg a blessing. Believers that live in love and peace, shall have the God of love and peace with them now, and they shall shortly be with him for ever, in the world of endless love and peace. May all who love the Lord forbear and forgive one another, as God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven them.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Psalms 133:1 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

הִנֵּ֣הhi.Nehthere!H2009
מַה\־mah-how!H4100
טּ֭וֹבTovgoodH2896
וּמַה\־u.mah-and how!H4100
נָּעִ֑יםna.'ImpleasantH5273
שֶׁ֖בֶתShe.vet[is the] dwelling ofH3427
אַחִ֣ים'a.ChimbrothersH251
גַּם\־gam-alsoH1571
יָֽחַד\׃Ya.chadtogetherH3162

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 133:1

  • 1 Peter 3:8

    Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

  • 1 Corinthians 1:10

    Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

  • John 13:35

    By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

  • Hebrews 13:1

    Let brotherly love continue.

  • Philippians 2:2-5

    Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

  • Ephesians 4:3-6

    Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

  • John 17:21

    That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

  • Jeremiah 32:39

    And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:

  • 1 John 3:14-19

    We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? …

  • 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.

  • Psalms 122:6-8

    Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.

  • Genesis 45:24

    So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1 The blessedness of unity among brethren.

(Title.) A Song of degrees.This Psalm was probably composed when David was made king over all Israel.
122:1; 124:1; 131:1; *titles
how good.
122:6-8; Ge 13:8; 45:24; 2Sa 2:26,27; Isa 11:6,9,13; Jer 32:39
Joh 13:35; 17:21; 1Co 1:10; Eph 4:3-6; Php 2:2-5; Heb 13:1; 1Pe 3:8
1Jo 3:14-19
together. Heb. even together.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 133:1

    A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

  • 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;

Read all of Psalms 133

Psalms 133:1 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Cántico gradual: de David. ¡MIRAD cuán bueno y cuán delicioso es habitar los hermanos igualmente en uno!
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Cantique des degrés. De David. Voici, qu’il est bon et qu’il est agréable que des frères habitent unis ensemble!
German
Elberfelder 1871
Siehe, wie gut und wie lieblich ist es, wenn Brüder einträchtig beieinander wohnen!
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Canticum graduum. Ecce nunc benedicite Dominum, omnes servi Domini: qui statis in domo Domini, in atriis domus Dei nostri.