Psalms 133:3

As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. AS THE DEW OF HERMON, (AND AS THE DEW) THAT DESCENDED UPON THE MOUNTAINS OF ZION. As "the precious ointment" () sets forth "how good" is brotherly unity (), so "the dew" sets forth "how pleasant" it is. The Hebrew is literally, 'As the dew of Hermon that descended upon the mountains of Zion.' "The dew of Hermon" is an image of "pleasant" or lovely dew. Locally, Hermon in the distant East, was so far from Zion, in the West, that the dew of the former could not literally descend upon the latter. Brotherly unity resembles a "pleasant" dew (such as Hermon has) which descends upon Zion where this unity is so beautifully exemplified (Hengstenb...

3._Like the precious ointment upon the head. _We have here clear proof that David, as we have just said, holds all true union among brethren to take its rise from God, and to have this for its legitimate object, that all may be brought to worship God in purity, and call upon iris name with one consent. Would the similitude have been borrowed from holy ointment if it had not been to denote, that religion must always hold the first place? (148) Any concord, it is thus insinuated, which may prevail amongst men, is insipid, if not pervaded by a sweet savor of God’s worship. We maintain, therefore, that men are to be united amongst themselves in mutual affection, with this as the great end., that they may be placed together under the government of God. If there be any who disagree with these terms, we would do well rather to oppose them strenuously, than purchase peace at the expense of God’s...

Verse Psalms 133:3. _AS THE DEW OF HERMON_, AND AS THE DEW _THAT DESCENDED_ _UPON THE MOUNTAINS OF ZION_] This was not Mount Zion, ציון _tsiyon_, in Jerusalem, but _Sion_, שיאן which is a part of Hermon, see Deuteronomy 4:48: "Mount Sion, which is Hermon." On this mountain the dew is very copious. Mr. Maundrell says that "with this dew, even in dry weather, their tents were as wet as if it had rained the whole night." This seems to show the strength of the comparison. _FOR THERE_] Where this _unity_ is. _THE LORD COMMANDED THE BLESSING_] That is, an _everlasting life_. There he pours out his blessings, and gives a long and happy life. For other particulars, see the

AS THE DEW OF HERMON ... - On the situation of Mount Hermon, see the notes at Psalms 89:12. The literal rendering of this passage would be, “Like the dew of Hermon which descends on the mountains of Zion.” According to our version two things are referred to: the dew of Hermon, and the dew on the mountains of Zion, But this is not in the original. There no dew is referred to but that which belongs to Hermon. It has, of course, been made a question how the dew of Hermon, a remote mountain, could be said to descend on the mountains of Zion, and our translators have sought to solve the difficulty by inserting the words “and as the dew.” Some have supposed that the proper interpretation is to refer the comparison in the passage to the dew of Hermon, and that all which follows is an application of the thought: “Like the dew of Hermon is the influence which comes down

EXPOSITION A SHORT psalm in praise of unity and brotherly harmony. As Dr. Kay observes, "The preservation of this unity was the object of the selection of ONE place, to which the tribes should go up on pilgrimage three times a year." And the intercommunion with each other, which the pilgrimages fostered, was certainly one of the chief means by which a unity of feeling and sentiment was kept up among the scattered members of the nation century after century. The pilgrimages were to the Israelites what the meetings at the Olympic and ether games were to the Greeks—at once witnesses to a belief in ethnic unity, and a strong and efficient bond of union. This psalm was therefore admirably fitted for a "pilgrim-song," which it is allowed on all hands to have been, and must have greatly helped the various classes of pilgrims-the spiritual and secular authorities, the rich, the poor, the citizen...

AS THE DEW OF HERMON, AND AS THE DEW THAT DESCENDED UPON THE MOUNTAINS OF ZION,.... Hermon was a very high hill beyond Jordan; the Sidonians called it Sirion, and the Amorites Shenir, Deuteronomy 3:8; hence Shenir and Hermon are mentioned together, Song of Solomon 4:8; and sometimes Sion or Seon, Deuteronomy 4:48; and is the Zion here intended; for the dew of Hermon could never descend on the mountain of Zion near Jerusalem, which was a hundred miles distant; besides Zion was but one mountain, these many. Hermon was remarkable for its dew, which still continues: a traveller c, one of our own country, and whose fidelity is to be depended on, lying in tents near this hill one night, says, "w

PSALM 120-134 The Psalms of Degrees Fifteen brief Psalms follow, called songs of degrees, or, ascents. They were in all probability used by Israel going up to Jerusalem three times a year to celebrate the feasts of the Lord--”Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, a testimony for Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.” They are indeed Psalms of “the goings-up” for we rise higher and higher as we read through them. Prophetically they give us again the steps from trial and suffering to the glorious consummation. As they are so simple in language and construction no lengthy annotations are needed. Psalms 120:1 begins with distress, picturing again the suffering of the righteous godly remnant. In Psalms 121:1 the Keeper of Israel, the Covenant Keeping God, is revealed

CXXXIII. FRATERNAL LOVE. The general sense is clear, but it presents difficulties due to the intrusion of glosses. The unity spoken of here is the special good-will which becomes those who join in Temple worship. It is compared to precious oil with which Aaron was consecrated (Leviticus 8:30), and which was used in such abundance that it streamed from his beard to the collar of his vestment. Next this fraternal unity is compared with the life-giving dew (p. 29) which falls abundantly on Hermon in the north, its freshness being also felt far south on Mount Zion. [See also OTJC 2, p. 212. A. S. P.]...

AS. [It is] like, as in Psalms 133:2. AND AS THE DEW. Omit these italics. DESCENDED. Compare Psalms 133:2. ZION. The dew (or copious summer night mist) was _one._ The same dew descended on Zion in the south as on Hermon in the north. Zion's dew represents the tribe of Judah. Hermon's dew represents Asher, Ephraim, Manasseh, Zebulon, Issachar (2 Chronicles 30:11; 2 Chronicles 30:18; 2 Chronicles 30:25;...

Like dew of Hermon, which descendeth _upon the mountains of Zion_ There is no justification for inserting the words _and as the dew,_as in A.V. "The dews of Syrian nights are excessive; on many mornings it looks as if there had been heavy rain" (G. A. Smith, _Hist. Geogr._p. 65); and the dew that falls on the slopes of the snow-clad Hermon is particularly copious. Dew is a symbol for what is refreshing, quickening, invigorating; and the Psalmist compares the influence of brotherly unity upon the nation to the effect of the dew upon vegetation. From such dwelling together individuals draw fresh energy; the life of the community, social and religious, is revived and quickened. It need not be supposed that the poet imagined that the dew which fell upon the mountains of Zion was in any way physically due to the influence of Mount Hermon (though it is possible that it was popularly supposed t...