Psalm 133 - New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

Psalm 133[a]

A Vision of a Blessed Community

1 A song of ascents. Of David.

How good and how pleasant it is,
when brothers[b] dwell together as one!
2 Like fine oil on the head,[c](A)
running down upon the beard,
Upon the beard of Aaron,
upon the collar of his robe.
3 Like dew[d] of Hermon coming down
upon the mountains of Zion.(B)
There the Lord has decreed a blessing,
life for evermore!(C)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 133 A benediction over a peaceful community, most probably the people Israel, but appropriate too for Israelite families (Ps 133:1). The history of Israel, whether of its ancestors in the Book of Genesis or of later periods, was a history of distinct groups struggling to live in unity. Here that unity is declared blessed, like the holy oils upon the priest Aaron or the dew of the rainless summer that waters the crops (Ps 133:2–3).
  2. 133:1 Brothers: in biblical Hebrew this word includes both the male and female members of a group united by blood relationships or by shared experiences and values. In this Psalm, the term could be applied most appropriately to the people of Israel, those privileged by God to be his chosen children.
  3. 133:2 Oil on the head: oil was used at the consecration of the high priest (Ex 30:22–33).
  4. 133:3 Dew: dew was an important source of moisture in the dry climate (Gn 27:28; Hos 14:6). Hermon: the majestic snow-capped mountain visible in the north of Palestine.

Cross references

  1. 133:2 : Ex 30:25, 30.
  2. 133:3 : Hos 14:6.
  3. 133:3 : Dt 28:8; 30:20.

You Might Also Like:

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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 ...
Read More

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 ...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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 ...
Read More

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...
Read More

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...
Read More

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 ...
Read More

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...
Read More