Ps. cxxxiii. 1 — 3. Behold, hoiv good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity ! It is like the precious ointment iipon the -head, that ran down upon the heard, even Aaron's heard; that luent down to the skirts of his garments ; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upoif the mountains of Zion : for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
IIN this psalm we have a commendation of Chris- tian love and unity. It seems to have been written some time after David's entire possession of the whole kingdom ; when the tribes being all united under one head, the horrors of civil war were ex- changed for the blessings of peace ; and all who were brethren according to the flesh, enjoyed the fullest exercise of brotherly love, in union with
each
464 PSALMS, cxxxiii. 1 — 3. [433^.
each other, and in communion with their God. He seems to have been contemplating the blessed change, till his soul, filled with holy joy and gratitude, exclaimed, " Behold, how good and pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity !" He then pursues the same idea, illustrating both the goodness and pleasantness of it, each by an appropriate simi- litude : its pleasantness resembling the fragrance of the ointment poured on Aaron's head ; and its good- ness being justly compared to dews of Hermon or of Zion, by which a continued verdure and fertility are preserved, where without them vegetation would quickly fail. We shall follow the line he has traced out for us, and point out the excellence of Christian unitijy I. As conducing to our present comfort — •
There is no pleasure so refined, so exquisite, as that which results from the exercise of Christian love. It always cheers the bosom in which it dwells, and imparts the sublimest joy to those who meet it with corresponding emotions. It is beautifully com- pared with the ointment which was poured on Aaron's head at his consecration to the priestly office.
Let us briefly examine the similitude —
[A full account of this ointment is given us in the Book of Exodus*. Tfie ingredients of which it was composed were of the most odoriferous kind : the proportions of each were mi- nutely specified by God himself: and its use, when properly com- pounded, was solely confined to the things or persons connected vyith the service of the sanctuary. It was strictly forbidden to the whole nation to form any other ointment like unto it, or to use any part of it for any other purpose than that which was ordained by God. It was itself most holy ; and it made every thing holy that came in contact with it. At the consecration of Aaron, it was poured upon his head in rich profusion, so that it ran down upon his beard, even to the collar of his garment''; and it diffused on every side a fragrance that was inexpressibly sweet and refreshing.]
Let us now consider the application of it — ■
[With this is Christian love to be compared. Now love is
altogether * Exod. XXX. 22—33. *" See the marginal version.