Text -- Psalms 133:1 (NET)

Psalm 133

133:1 A song of ascents, by David. Look! How good and how pleasant it is when brothers live together!

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Psa 133:1

¹ sn Psalm 133. The psalmist affirms the benefits of family unity.

² sn The precise significance of this title, which appears in Pss 120-134, is unclear. Perhaps worshipers recited these psalms when they ascended the road to Jerusalem to celebrate annual religious festivals. For a discussion of their background see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 219-21.

³ sn This statement refers to the extended family structure of ancient Israel, where brothers would often live in proximity to one another (Deut 25:5), giving the family greater social prominence and security. However, in its later application in the Israelite cult it probably envisions unity within the covenant community. See L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 212-15.