Psalms 133:1 «A Song of degrees of David. » Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Ver. 1. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is] This David is thought to have said to the people, when, after eight years' unnatural war, they came together to Hebron, to anoint him king over all Israel, 2Sa 5:1-5 Behold, be affected with that happiness of yours which no tongue can utter. Accipe quod sentitur antequam discitur, as Cyprian saith in another case.

How good and how pleasant] Precious and profitable, sweet and delectable, λιπαρον και λαμτρον, dainty and goodly, as Revelation 18:14. Communion of saints is the next happiness upon earth to communion with God.

For brethren] Whether by place, race; or grace, which last is the strongest tie; and should cause such a harmony of hearts as might resemble that concord and concent that shall be in heaven. The Thebans in their armies had a band of men they called the holy band; consisting of such only as were joined together in the bonds of love, as would live and die together; these they made great account of, and esteemed the strength of their armies, ιερος λοχος εξ εραστων και ερωμενων (Athenaeus, lib. 3).

To dwell together] Heb. even together, that is, even as God dwelleth with them, Psalms 132:13,14, to be "kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love," Romans 12:10, to be as those primitive Christians were, Acts 2:24,27, of one heart and of one soul. The number of two hath by the heathens been accounted accursed, because it was the first that departed from unity.

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