Useful Bible Studies > Songs of Ascent Commentary

Psalm 133

· To get the maximum benefit from this study, please open your Bible and read Psalm 133 first.

David described something that was both ‘good’ and ‘pleasant’.

Some things that we consider pleasant are not good things. And some things that are good may seem unpleasant. For example, a child may prefer chocolate instead of his vegetables. But his parents will not approve! They urge him to eat the vegetables, because vegetables are good for him. But the child still wants the chocolate, because he considers that more pleasant.

But here, on the hills round Jerusalem, David saw something that was both good and pleasant. He saw families that did not quarrel. He saw a nation that was at peace with itself.

What David actually saw was families from all over Israel. They had come to Jerusalem for one of the sacred holidays. Because Jerusalem was only a small city then, the families camped on the hills round the city. The people were happy because of the special occasion. And they did not want to quarrel because this was a sacred occasion.

Of course, David realised that these happy circumstances would not last. After a short holiday, the people would return home. Soon, they would again feel the strain that work, troubles, and difficult relationships cause. Their arguments would start again. David knew that as well as anyone else did. The Bible records some of David’s own arguments with his brothers and his other relatives. And David’s sons also argued much, with some terrible results.

But as a *prophet, David’s words were not in vain. God showed David things that would happen in the future. God is bringing about his perfect plan for his people. And in God’s perfect plan, his people do not quarrel. All of God’s people are children of God. So they are all brothers and sisters of each other. And they love each other, because God loves them.

This will happen in the future. But it has already happened when brothers have served God together. David gives an example from the lives of Moses and Aaron.

Next part: Aaron the chief priest

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