Psalm 133:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.

NIV: It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

NASB: It is like the dew of Hermon Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For the Lord commanded the blessing there—life forever.

CSB: It is like the dew of Hermon falling on the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord has appointed the blessing -- life forevermore.

NLT: Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.

KJV: As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

NKJV: It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing— Life forevermore.

David offers a second simile to show the joy which comes when fellow believers live in harmony with each other.

Mount Hermon is at the northeast boundary of ancient Israel. Its height and location made it a major source of water for the region. The Jews depended upon the early and latter rains and dew to water the otherwise dry land and enable crops to grow. The ultimate source of this lifegiving water was far from them, symbolizing the sovereign nature of God in providing for their needs. Dew symbolizes fruitfulness. Like the far-away source of a river's water, dew comes down from God; it is not something man produces.

Similarly, Christians cannot be fruitful by depending on their own intelligence, strength, and work. Zechariah 4:6 reports: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts." When believers live under the control of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), good, pleasant, and refreshing results occur. They edify one another (Ephesians 5:19); they constantly offer thanks to God (Ephesians 5:20); they serve one another (Ephesians 5:21); love characterizes their family life (Ephesians 5:22–33; 6:1–4); and peace marks their workplace (Ephesians 6:5–9).

Unity is the theme of this psalm. David affirms that the unity of the people of Israel was good and pleasant. Although there had been discord for years among the tribes, their coming together as one people was refreshing. It resembled the occasion when Aaron was anointed to serve as Israel's high priest. It resembled the refreshing dew that fell on Mount Hermon and on the hills around Jerusalem. Jerusalem is the city on which God placed his everlasting blessing.

This psalm, written by David, is a "song of ascent." These were sung by groups, likely families, on their way to Jerusalem to worship at one of the festivals. David may have composed this song upon his ascension to the throne when the tribes of Israel united to proclaim him king.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.