Text -- Psalms 133:1-2 (NET)

Psalm 133

133:1 A song of ascents, by David. Look! How good and how pleasant it is when brothers live together! 133:2 It is like fine oil poured on the head which flows down the beard– Aaron’s beard, and then flows down his garments.

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.

NET Notes: Psa 133:2

¹ tn Heb “[it is] like the good oil on the head, going down on the beard.”

² tn Heb “which goes down in accordance with his measured things.” The Hebrew phrase מִדּוֹתָיו (middotayv, “his measured things”) refers here to the robes worn by Aaron. HALOT 546 s.v. *מַד derives the form from מַד (midah, “robe”) rather than מִדָּה (middah, “measured thing”). Ugaritic md means “robe” and is pluralized mdt.