Pray the Psalms: Psalm 133

[MUSIC PLAYING] Hi. Rick Hamlin. Psalm 133. Behold, how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the ointment that runs down upon the head and into the beard. 

Well, the first part of this very short psalm, it’s easy for me to grasp. Behold, how pleasant it is for people to dwell in unity. We know so much about people being rancorous and complaining about each other, not even being able to come together at a table to talk. Sometimes, even in our churches, in our spiritual groups, there can be differences of opinion that are so great that people can’t even dwell together in unity. 

Well, that is a deep prayer. But I had problems with this idea of the ointment running down into the beard. That’s not something we think about as being particularly pleasant. 

And when I was thinking about this psalm and praying it to myself, praying for that unity, but trying to understand this comparison, I have the morning shower, and feeling the hot water drip down my head and down my face. I think that would be a very good comparison in our times for the pleasantness, that satisfaction, that being able to relax and enjoy. 

And here’s a psalm for us to relax and enjoy. Unity. Pleasant is the word. How pleasant. What a fabulous thing. 

So praying for unity is praying for that relaxing sensation of feeling warmth, knowing something is good, and feeling it overflowing, dripping down your face. How pleasant that is. Psalm 133.