Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 133:3

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.