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Psalm 133 - New Catholic Bible (NCB)

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Psalm 133[a]

The Blessings of Brotherly Accord

1 A song of ascents. Of David.[b]

How wonderful and delightful it is
for brothers to live together in unity.[c]
2 It is like fragrant ointment poured on the head,
running down upon the beard,
running down upon the beard of Aaron,
and flowing on the collar of his robes.[d]
3 It is like the dew of Hermon
falling upon the mountains of Zion.[e]
For there the Lord has bestowed his blessing,
life forevermore.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 133:1 The fragrant oil of anointing and the beneficial dew—such images speak for themselves for a Palestinian; for the poet, they evoke the charm of a living community gathered together around the priests and Levites in the holy city on the occasion of a pilgrimage. The holy city (v. 3), the priesthood (v. 2), and the communion of brothers—all is newness of grace at this moment.
    This psalm easily finds an appropriate place on our lips to proclaim the advantages of concord among Christians in the bosom of the house of God, the Church. John the apostle reveals the evils of discord. The person who hates another is a murderer and remains in sin and death. Such a person is not loved by God and can receive no gift from him (see 1 Jn 3:15-17). Fraternal love constitutes the sign of true faith and with it the key to all the divine goods (see Mt 22:34-40; Jn 13:34f; 15:12-17). Only this love manifests that we are true children of God, born of him, and at the same time true disciples of Christ (see Jn 13:35; 1 Jn 4:7).
  2. Psalm 133:1 Of David: these words, omitted from some MSS, refer to the reunion of the tribes of Israel at David’s anointing in Hebron (see 2 Sam 5:1ff).
  3. Psalm 133:1 The psalmist pronounces a blessing on those who live together in unity, as, for example, those on pilgrimage who included people from many different walks of life, regions, and tribes, coming together for one purpose—to worship the Lord in Jerusalem.
  4. Psalm 133:2 Brotherly accord is compared with the copious oil running down the head, beard, and robes of the priests who were anointed. Just as the holy oil poured on the priests consecrated them to the Lord’s service, so brotherly unity sanctifies God’s people. Thus, the fellowship of God’s people on earth is an expression of the priesthood of all believers (see Ex 19:6), promised to Israel and renewed for the Church in Christ (see 1 Pet 2:9f).
  5. Psalm 133:3 Dew of Hermon . . . mountains of Zion: because of its height (nearly ten thousand feet above sea level) and the rain, snow, and dew that fell atop it, Mount Hermon was famous for its rich foliage even during the dry summer months (see Ps 89:13; Deut 33:28; Song 5:2; Hos 14:6). Thus, the dew of Mount Hermon would make the mountains of Zion just as fruitful (see Gen 27:28; Hag 1:10; Zec 8:12). The psalmist indicates that no matter how harsh the conditions of the pilgrimage might be, the fellowship of God’s people was refreshing. For there . . . life forevermore: the divine blessing almost personified (see Lev 25:21; Deut 28:8) will procure happiness and salvation (see Pss 28:9; 36:11) in a definitive manner (see Pss 61:5; 73:26; Deut 30:16, 20).

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Psalm 133 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

133 A Song of the Ascents, by David. Lo, how good and how pleasant The dwelling of brethren -- even together! 2 As the good oil on the head, Coming down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, That cometh down on the skirt of his robes, 3 As dew of Hermon -- That cometh down on hills of Zion, For there Je...
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Psalm 133 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

133 The song of degrees. Lo! how good and how merry it is; that brethren dwell together. (Lo! how good and how pleasant it is; for brothers, or God’s people, to live together in unity, or in harmony.) 2 As ointment in the head; that goeth down into the beard, into the beard of Aaron. That goeth down...
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Psalm 133 - World English Bible (WEB)

A Song of Ascents. By David.133 See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!2 It is like the precious oil on the head, that ran down on the beard, even Aaron’s beard, that came down on the edge of his robes,3 like the dew of Hermon, that comes down on the hills of Zion...
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Psalm 133 - The Voice (VOICE)

Psalm 133A song of David for those journeying to worship.1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in peace!2 It is like the finest oils poured on the head, sweet-smelling oils flowing down to cover the beard,Flowing down the beard of Aaron, flowing down the collar of his...
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Psalm 133 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Blessing of UnityPsalm 1331 A Song of Ascents. Of David.Behold, how good and how pleasant it isfor brothers to dwell together in unity!2 It is like the precious oil upon the head,coming down upon the beard—Aaron’s beard—coming down on the collar of his robes.3 It is like the dew of Hermon,coming dow...
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Psalm 133 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

The Blessedness of UnityA Song of Ascents.133 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down upon the beard,upon the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the ...
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Psalm 133 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

The Blessedness of UnityA Song of Ascents.133 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down upon the beard,upon the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the ...
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Psalm 133 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Psalm 133The Blessedness of UnityA Song of Ascents.1 How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard,on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes.3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which fall...
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Psalm 133 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Psalm 133The Blessedness of UnityA Song of Ascents.1 How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!(A)2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard,on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes.(B)3 It is like the dew of Hermon, whic...
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Psalm 133 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Psalm 133A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David.1 How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!2 For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe.3 Harmony is as...
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Psalm 133 - New Life Version (NLV)

A Song of Praise133 See, how good and how pleasing it is for brothers to live together as one! 2 It is like oil of great worth poured on the head, flowing down through the hair on the face, even the face of Aaron, and flowing down to his coat. 3 It is like the morning water of Hermon coming down u...
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Psalm 133 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Blessed Unity of the People of GodA Song of Ascents. Of David.133 Behold, how good and how pleasant it isFor (A)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 ...
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Psalm 133 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Psalm 133A 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 Zio...
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Psalm 133 - New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 133A song of ascents. Of David.1 How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together(A) in unity!(B) 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,(C) 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(D) of Hermon(E) were falli...
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Psalm 133 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

Psalm 133A song for those who go up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord. A psalm of David.1 How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in peace!2 It’s like the special olive oil that was poured on Aaron’s head.It ran down on his beard and on the collar of his robe.3 It’s as if the dew ...
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Psalm 133 - New English Translation (NET)

Psalm 133[a]A song of ascents;[b] by David.133 Look! How good and how pleasant it iswhen brothers truly live in unity.[c]2 It is like fine oil poured on the head,which flows down the beard[d]—Aaron’s beard,and then flows down his garments.[e]3 It is like the dew of Hermon,[f]which flows down upon th...
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