Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 133

1 BEhold, how good and how pleasant it is , for brethren to dwell together in unity.

You have been harassed by a Civil War, take notice of this blessed change with thankfulness to God for it.

For us who are brethren not onely by nature and blood, but also by combination in one and the same Commonwealth, and by the profession of the same Religion.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] together.

2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aarons beard , that went down to the skirts of his garments.

It is no less grateful and refreshing than that oyl which was plentifully poured forth upon Aarons head at the time of his Consecration to the Priestly Office, which was exceeding pleasant, not onely for the extraordinary fragrancy of it, but because by this, together with the other Rites prescribed, he was initiated into that sacred Office, which was so acceptable to God, and so comfortable and beneficial to the people, as being the happy instrument of making atonement to God for them, and of procuring and maintaining their peace with God, upon which all their happiness of this life and of the next depends.

Or, skirt, for the Hebrew word is of the Singular number. Not to the lower skirt or bottom of his Sacerdotal garment, for that the sacred Oyl was poured forth in so great plenty is not probable, nor was it necessary or convenient; but to the upper skirt of it, or the mouth of it, as this Hebrew word properly signifies, or to the coll[illegible: 1+ letters]r of his upper Priestly garment, which the oyntment falling upon his beard, might easily reach.

Marginal references: Exod. 30. 25, 30.; Or, [illegible: 1+ letters]ollar.

3 As the dew of Hermon , and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion ; for there the LORD commandeth blessing , even life for evermore.

It is no less grateful than the dew is which f[illegible: 1+ letters]lls upon that great and goodly hill of Hermon, whereby it is both refreshed and made fruitful.

And as the dew which falle[illegible: 1+ letters]h upon the mountains of Sion, i. e. either upon the several parts and ridges or tops of that mountain, whereof one was peculiarly called Sion, and another Moriah; or upon the mountains which are round about Ierusalem, Psal. 125. 2. which is oft called Zion, as Psal. 132. 13. And these may be opposed to Hermon, which was remote and beyond Iordan. But peradventure (which yet I propose with all submission) this dew is not to be taken literally, for the falling of the dew availed very little to the refreshment or improvement of the hills of Sion and Moriah, especially as now they were filled with buildings, but Allegorically, for the favour or blessing of God, which is frequently called and compared to the dew, as Prov. 19. 12. Isa. 18. 4. Hos. 14. 5. Mich. 5. 7. And thus it may seem to be explained in the following clause: and so the sence of the place is this, It is as desirable as the natural dew which falls upon mount Hermon, nay which is more, as that blessed and heavenly dew of Gods ordinances and graces which he hath commanded to fall upon the mountains of Sion, i. e. either upon mount Sion, the Plural number being put for the Singular, as it is Psal. 132. 7. and oft elsewhere, as I have observed in several places; or upon the mountains of Zion and Moriah, and others which are round about Ierusalem, as was now said. And if it seem strange, that the dew should be taken literally in the first clause, and mystically in the next, we have a like instance Mat. 8. 22. Let the dead (spiritually) bury the dead (naturally.)

He now gives the reason either why this unity is so good a thing; or why the dew descending upon Zion, to which that is compared, is so desirable. And so upon this occasion he slides into the commendation of Zions felicity, as the sacred Writers frequently do upon other like occasions▪

Either, 1. where brethren live in peace and unity: or rather, 2. in Zion last mentioned.

Ordained, promised, conferred and established his blessing, to wit, all manner of blessedness for his people that since[illegible: 1+ letters]ely worship him in that place.

To wit, an happy and pleasant life; for to live in misery is accounted and oft called death both in Scripture and in other Authors.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 4. 48. [illegible: 1 word], [illegible: 1 word].; [illegible: 1 word]. 25. 21.; [illegible: 1 word]. 28. 8.