Last week we began our study of Psalm 133. We explored the first two verses in detail. If you have not read last week’s article, called ‘Precious Oil’, please refer to it before reading on.
1 How good and pleasant it is
when brothers 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 upon the collar of his robes.3 It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.
The Metaphor
The central theme of this Psalm is very clearly about unity in God’s family. Not merely surviving together, but enjoying each other, celebrating togetherness (as referred to in the previous article)! The Hebrew word used for ‘live together’ is ‘chai’, implying a celebration, a liveliness, and a richness… Now let us consider the metaphor in verse 3: Hermon’s dew falling on Mt. Zion. What is so special about Hermon’s dew to Mt. Zion?
About Hermon and Mt. Zion
In order to excavate the jewels inside the quarry of verse 3, it would benefit us to know a few interesting facts about Mount Hermon and Mt. Zion:
- At 9,200 feet above sea level, Mount Hermon (actually a cluster of mountains) is the highest mountain in Israel. These snow-covered mountains provide a seemingly endless supply of runoff (melting snow) and feed into several streams and rivers. These rivers then merge together to become the Jordan River.
- The continuous flow from the runoff travels downward to fertilize plant life below. Vineyards and pine, oak, and poplar trees are abundant there, each being watered regularly by this cluster of mountains. Hermon is also sometimes called the “gray-haired mountain,” or “mountain of snow,” because of the covering of snow which rests on it most every day of the year.
- No matter what season, travellers have noted that the dew of Mt. Hermon is so copious that, even in dry weather, tents are soaked with water as if it had rained all night.
- Zion is a Hebrew name meaning “sunny or parched place.” In the Old Testament, it refers to a specific mountain, but also includes the area of Jerusalem, the city of David. Its inhabitants are also called the daughters of Tsiyown/Zion.
- Mt. Zion has also been accepted by Theologians as representing the church, the ekklesia or assembly of believers (read the article ‘Huddle Up’ for more on the Ekklesia). See also, Hebrews 12:22-24 for further reference.
“It is As If…”
“It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mt. Zion…”. This metaphor describes the effect of unity. In Matthew 18:20, Jesus says: “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them”. Unity. And His presence is the key to our refreshment. Do you feel thirst within your own soul or see others thirst as if in a dry and parched land?
What About the Parched Places?
God knows the ‘parched’ places of our lives. And just as He provides daily for Mt. Zion through Mt. Hermon, so He provides for us through sending His son, Jesus, to daily quench our thirsty souls. In John 7:37-38, Jesus says, “…if anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink….and streams of living water will flow…”. Does a spirit of unity have anything to do with keeping that flow of refreshment running through our souls? It seems so.
Let us make every effort to walk in unity and humility with each other (Ephesians 4:2-5). For it is then that we experience and then can share the refreshment of His presence. May we be as Mt. Hermon is to Mt. Zion’s parched place; sharing His “streams of living water “ to one another and to the world…a daily continuous flow…
Our Big Finale: The Blessing, Even Life Forevermore
“For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” Through the love of God and the power of unity (pleasant togetherness), we are promised the ‘chai’ of the Holy Spirit—God’s kind of life, and “even life forevermore”!
‘Life forevermore’ brings to mind what our Lord Jesus said about Himself in John 3:16, “…that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”. Let us come together in unity and lift Him up! Easier said than done? But it is His prayer and great desire for His church. John 13:35, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Prayer
“O Lord, draw us together. Help us to connect, and not walk away. Help us to love like you’ve loved us. O Lord, we need you. We can’t do it without you. We long for you…. as you refresh our thirsty souls, may we show the world your love that works within us…we long to see your blessing bestowed upon the world and those we love dearly.”
How good it is, yes, and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity! Amen!
Good thoughts Angie… as usual it comes down to Jesus… coming together in His name and focusing on him alone. Yes, easier said than done!
Great facts about Mt. Hermon, things that I did not know.
It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. I understand now how the water, from Mt. Hermon is significant. We have that endless supply of water, Holy Spirit with us at all times flowing into His church, us!
Great post!
Excellent! You should send this to Uncle Dave. I know he would appreciate it. If you don’t have his email, let me know, and I’ll send it to you via regular email. I hesitate to put it on facebook. Lave ya’ll, Daddy & Rosie
Excellent! (I think I already did this, but if not) you should wend this to Unc. Dvid. If you don’t have his email address, let me know and I will send it to you via regular email. I hesitate to put it on Facebook without his permission. LU, Daddy