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What does Psalms 133:1-3 mean?
Lou Newton
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Psalm 133 NIV
A song of ascents. Of David.
1 How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.
David is saying that is is good when God’s people live together in unity. That does not mean that everyone agrees on everything, but they do not separate themselves from some that may disagree on some smaller issue.
1st of all it is God’s people living together in unity. That means that these people all trust in God alone to save them and nothing else. That is the one important issue that they unite around. They can not have unity with someone that worships another false god. Two can not walk together unless they walk the same road.
2 Cor 6 NIV
14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will live with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.”
17 Therefore,
“Come out from them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.”
18 And,
“I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”
On the other hand God’s people should not divide themselves over debatable issues. Some believe that God created the world in six 24 hour earth days, others believe that God created the world in six days that are not 24 hour earth days. If they both trust in Jesus to save them, they should discuss this issue but not separate themselves from one another over it. They both trust in the same God and He will open both of their eyes when He returns. For here on the earth they both see through a foggy window and neither one sees the complete truth.
We should all imitate the humility of Christ, who being God Himself, did not demand to be treated like God but instead became the Servant of man. Jesus took no title here on the earth, but they simply called Him by His Name, Jesus. What mere man then should allow others to call him by any title, considering Jesus took no title.
Philippians 2 NIV
Imitating Christ’s Humility
2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
If Jesus is God Almighty and was the Servant of all men, why should we, being mere men, act like we are God.
A sinner saved by grace alone
His servant, Lou Newton