For Brethren to Dwell Together in Unity

An encouraging psalm for the children of God to live peacefully and in harmony with each other. God values this so much and it is described as being like oil running from the head to the beard and to the garments, when people live in unity. Another imagery is like dew flowing down the mountain of Zion. It is written that in such unity, God's blessing will be there also. On the reverse side, when there is no blessing, the cause is due to lack of unity in His children.


Psalm 133
Blessed Unity of the People of God
A Song of Ascents. Of David.

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brethren to dwell together in unity!

2 It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Running down on the beard,
The beard of Aaron,
Running down on the edge of his garments.

3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
Descending upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the Lord commanded the blessing—
Life forevermore.

David Seeks God's Face

David starts of this Psalm with the great encouragement that the LORD is my light and salvation - so whom shall I fear? In other words, when the Mighty One of Jacob is our God, there is nothing else to be afraid of.

So David describes that no enemy army, nor wicked foes, nor wars would cause him to fear. He has set his sight on high - thinking about living with God. In times of trouble God will hide us in his secret place.

It is no wonder God describes as David as after His heart. David calls upon the mercy of God first and determines to seek God's face, to know Him, to be close to Him. He has full trust in God that even as earthly parents may forsake him, the LORD God will not forsake him.

As David pleads with God to teach him His ways so that he can withstand his numerous enemies and tribulations, one interesting verse is this: "That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living." Clearly David believes the blessings and goodness of God is also for this earthly life as well as for eternity.

Finally David ends the Psalm with an encouragement for each of us to: "Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; "



Psalm 27

A Psalm of David.

 1 The LORD is my light and my salvation;
         Whom shall I fear?
         The LORD is the strength of my life;
         Of whom shall I be afraid?
 2 When the wicked came against me
         To eat up my flesh,
         My enemies and foes,
         They stumbled and fell.
 3 Though an army may encamp against me,
         My heart shall not fear;
         Though war may rise against me,
         In this I will be confident.
       
 4 One thing I have desired of the LORD,
         That will I seek:
         That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
         All the days of my life,
         To behold the beauty of the LORD,
         And to inquire in His temple.
 5 For in the time of trouble
         He shall hide me in His pavilion;
         In the secret place of His tabernacle
         He shall hide me;
         He shall set me high upon a rock.
       
 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;
         Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
         I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
       
 7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice!
         Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
 8 When You said, “Seek My face,”
         My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I will seek.”
 9 Do not hide Your face from me;
         Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
         You have been my help;
         Do not leave me nor forsake me,
         O God of my salvation.
 10 When my father and my mother forsake me,
         Then the LORD will take care of me.
       
 11 Teach me Your way, O LORD,
         And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
 12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;
         For false witnesses have risen against me,
         And such as breathe out violence.
 13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
         That I would see the goodness of the LORD
         In the land of the living.
       
 14 Wait on the LORD;
         Be of good courage,
         And He shall strengthen your heart;
         Wait, I say, on the LORD!