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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Psalms CXXXIII].</TITLE>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1710)
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>P S A L M S</B></FONT>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>PSALM CXXXIII.</FONT>
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<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
This psalm is a brief encomium on unity and brotherly love, which, if
we did not see the miseries of discord among men, we should think
needless; but we cannot say too much, it were well if we could say
enough, to persuade people to live together in peace. Some conjecture
that David penned this psalm upon occasion of the union between the
tribes when they all met unanimously to make him king. It is a psalm of
general use to all societies, smaller and larger, civil and sacred.
Here is,
I. The doctrine laid down of the happiness of brotherly love,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+133:1">ver. 1</A>.
II. The illustration of that doctrine, in two similitudes,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+133:2,3">ver. 2, 3</A>.
III. The proof of it, in a good reason given for it
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+133:3">ver. 3</A>);
and then we are left to make the application, which we ought to do in
singing it, provoking ourselves and one another to holy love. The
contents of this psalm in our Bibles, are short, but very proper; it is
"the benefit of the communion of saints."</P>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Brotherly Love.</I></FONT></TD>
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<P>A song of degrees of David.</P>
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<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Behold, how good and how
pleasant <I>it is</I> for brethren to dwell together in unity!
&nbsp; 2 <I>It is</I> like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran
down upon the beard, <I>even</I> Aaron's beard: that went down to the
skirts of his garments;
&nbsp; 3 As the dew of Hermon, <I>and as the dew</I> that descended upon
the mountains of Zion: for there the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> commanded the blessing,
<I>even</I> life for evermore.
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<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Here see,
I. What it is that is commended--<I>brethren's dwelling together in
unity,</I> not only not quarrelling, and devouring one another, but
delighting in each other with mutual endearments, and promoting each
other's welfare with mutual services. Sometimes it is chosen, as the
best expedient for preserving peace, that brethren should live asunder
and at a distance from each other; that indeed may prevent enmity and
strife
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+13:9">Gen. xiii. 9</A>),
but the goodness and pleasantness are <I>for brethren to dwell
together</I> and so <I>to dwell in unity, to dwell even as one</I> (so
some read it), as having one heart, one soul, one interest. David had
many sons by many wives; probably he penned this psalm for their
instruction, to engage them to love another, and, if they had done
this, much of the mischief that arose in his family would have been
happily prevented. The tribes of Israel had long had separate interests
during the government of the Judges, and it was often of bad
consequence; but now that they were united under one common head he
would have them sensible how much it was likely to be for their
advantage, especially since now the ark was fixed, and with it the
place of their rendezvous for public worship and the centre of their
unity. Now let them live in love.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. How commendable it is: <I>Behold, how good and how pleasant it
is!</I> It is good in itself, agreeable to the will of God, the
conformity of earth to heaven. It is good for us, for our honour and
comfort. It is pleasant and pleasing to God and all good men; it brings
constant delight to those who do thus live in unity. <I>Behold, how
good!</I> We cannot conceive or express the goodness and pleasantness
of it. Behold it is a rare thing, and therefore admirable. Behold and
wonder that there should be so much goodness and pleasantness among
men, so much of heaven on this earth! Behold it is an amiable thing,
which will attract our hearts. Behold it is an exemplary thing, which,
where it is, is to be imitated by us with a holy emulation.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. How the pleasantness of it is illustrated.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. It is fragrant as the holy anointing oil, which was strongly
perfumed, and diffused its odours, to the great delight of all the
bystanders, when it was poured upon the head of Aaron, or his successor
the high priest, so plentifully that it ran down the face, even to the
collar or binding of the garment,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+133:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
(1.) This ointment was holy. So must our brotherly love be, with a pure
heart, devoted to God. We must love those that are begotten <I>for his
sake that begat,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+5:1">1 John v. 1</A>.
(2.) This ointment was a composition made up by a divine dispensatory;
God appointed the ingredients and the quantities. Thus believers are
<I>taught of God to love one another;</I> it is a grace of his working
in us.
(3.) It was very precious, and the like to it was not to be made for
any common use. Thus holy love is, in the sight of God, of great price;
and that is precious indeed which is so in God's sight.
(4.) It was grateful both to Aaron himself and to all about him. So is
holy love; it is like <I>ointment and perfume which rejoice the
heart.</I> Christ's love to mankind was part of that <I>oil of
gladness</I> with which he was <I>anointed above his fellows.</I>
(5.) Aaron and his sons were not admitted to minister unto the Lord
till they were anointed with this ointment, nor are our services
acceptable to God without this holy love; if we have it not we are
nothing,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+13:1,2">1 Cor. xiii. 1, 2</A>.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. It is fructifying. It is profitable as well as pleasing; it is <I>as
the dew;</I> it brings abundance of blessings along with it, as
numerous as the drops of dew. It cools the scorching heat of men's
passions, as the evening dews cool the air and refresh the earth. It
contributes very much to our fruitfulness in every thing that is good;
it moistens the heart, and makes it tender and fit to receive the good
seed of the word; as, on the contrary, <I>malice and bitterness</I>
unfit us to receive it,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+2:1">1 Pet. ii. 1</A>.
It is <I>as the dew of Hermon,</I> a common hill (for brotherly love is
the beauty and benefit of civil societies), <I>and as the dew that
descended upon the mountains of Zion,</I> a holy hill, for it
contributes greatly to the fruitfulness of sacred societies. Both
Hermon and Zion will wither without this dew. It is said of the dew
that it <I>tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mic+5:7">Mic. v. 7</A>.
Nor should our love to our brethren stay for theirs to us (that is
publican's love), but should go before it--that is divine love.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
IV. The proof of the excellency of brotherly love. Loving people are
blessed people. For,
1. They are blessed of God, and therefore blessed indeed: <I>There,</I>
where brethren dwell together in unity, <I>the Lord commands the
blessing,</I> a complicated blessing, including all blessings. It is
God's prerogative to command the blessing, man can but beg a blessing.
Blessings according to the promise are commanded blessings, for he has
commanded <I>his covenant for ever.</I> Blessings that take effect are
commanded blessings, for <I>he speaks and it is done.</I>
2. They are everlastingly blessed. The blessing which God commands on
those that dwell in love is <I>life for evermore;</I> that is the
blessing of blessings. Those that dwell in love not only dwell in God,
but do already dwell in heaven. As the perfection of love is the
blessedness of heaven, so the sincerity of love is the earnest of that
blessedness. Those that live in love and peace shall have the God of
love and peace with them now, and they shall be with him shortly, with
him for ever, in the world of endless love and peace. How good then is
it, and how pleasant!</P>
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