Martin Luther on Psalms 133:3

Verse. 3. As the dew of Hermon which falleth vpon the mountaines of Sion: for there the Lorde appoynted the blessing and life for euer.

Hermon. Hermon is a mountaine ioyning vppon Libanus. Hereof it commeth that in an other place he calleth Iudea, which is compassed with mountaines, the land of Hermonijm. As touching this similitude, I thinke the Prophet vseth the common maner of speaking. For whereas the mountaines often times seme to those that beholde them a far of, to reach vp euen vnto heauen, the dew which commeth from heauen, seemeth to fall from the high mountaines vnto the hills which are vnder them. Therefore he sayth, that the dewe descendeth from Hermon vnto the mount Sion, because it so seemeth vnto those that doe behold it a farre of. And this clause, after my iudgement, perteineth to ciuill concorde (like as the former similitude perteineth to the Church) because God, through peace and concord, maketh common wealthes and kingdoms to flowrish: euen as seedes, herbes and plants are fresh and flourish through the morning dewe. The beginning of this peace commeth from the Princes & Magistrates, as from mount Hermon ▪ From whom it floweth vnto euery particular person, and to the whole common wealth, which is refreshed therwith as it were with the dewe of heauen: wherby all things doe prosper and flourish. For like as by the dewe, all things that growe vpon the earth do spring and encrease: euen so small things through peace & concord do grow to great increase. Contrariwise, like as in ye time of great heat & drowth all things wither away & perish: so warres, seditions & tumults, su[illegible: 1 letter]uert and destroy common weales & kingdoms. Wherfore we haue neede, not onely of diligent exhortations, but also of continuall, hartie and faithfull prayer vnto God, that he would gratiously continue this heauenly benefite of peace and concord amonges vs, as the Prophet now addeth.

There the Lorde appointed the blessing and life, or liues, for so it is in the Hebrewe. As much to say as: There will God dwell where concord is. This is in deede an excellent commendation wherewith he so bewtifieth and extolleth peace. And with this commendation ought the hartes of all men to be stirred vp to the loue of peace, The commē dation of concord, and that God will dwell there where concord is. since they heare, that God wil dwel with such Princes, such Pastors and such people as loue peace and defende the same. It followeth then that where the enemies of peace are, and such as delite in vnnecessary warres, as are those monsters which are idlely and wickedly brought vp in the Courts of Princes and courtly life, togither with the profane & godles multitude, there dwelleth the deuill with his angells, and there hath God appoynted malediction, death and destruction.

There is a certeine vehemency in this word life, or liues in the plurall number. For it signifieth all kindes of life, as the Priests, the Leuites, the faithfull, the Magistrates, artificers, citizens, husbandmen, &c. As if he sayd: All states of life shall be blessed with this peace. This is in deede a notable promise. But doe not we most wickedly contemne this promise? Many of purpose seeke occasions to trouble the Churches. In the common wealth likewise we see what great contempt of [illegible: 1 letter]awes there is euery where. By these enormities we doe, as it were, constrayne God, not to bestow vpon vs this blessing and life. This is the cause that we are vexed with sundry calamities, for that we doe contemne this blessing so graciously offered vnto vs. Notwithstanding the worlde through calamities and scourges will not amende. For what did it profite the Iewes to be so often exercised with all kindes of calamities? God therfore was constrayned at the length vtterly to destroy them. In like maner Loth preached to the Sodomites in vayne: as Noah also did to the first world. The same daunger hangeth ouer our heades. For neither with pestilence, warre nor famine can we be brought to amendement, or bee any thinge the better. Therefore shall destruction followe.

This Psalme therefore is a commendation of peace and vnitie, to the ende we should esteeme of it as a most excellent and holy gift, and that we shoulde rather suffer the losse of all thinges else, then giue occasion of dissention and discorde. For if we must suffer any losse, it ought to be borne patiently in this respect, that all other thinges through peace are recouered and restored agayne: Nothing better chepe to the byer thē peace. as one sayd very well: I neuer bought any thing better chepe then peace: For to the byer it bringeth most plentifull fruite. We see often times in our priuate affayres, that if a man be content to lose tenne or twenty crownes that he may liue in peace and quietnes, he wynneth thereby great gayne and commoditie: whereas an other neglecting this quietnes, and by strife and contention seeking ten crownes, loseth many times an hundreth crownes or more. If these thinges so fall out in priuate matters, what hapneth (thinke you) in ye affaires of common wealths & kingdoms? Let vs learne therefore highly to esteme of peace, & to be thankfull vnto God for such a singular gift both in the common wealth and in the Church. So shall it come to passe, that we shall feele and enioy this blessing and life, as the holy Ghost hath promised.