Interpreting Psalm 133 - Parallelism, Picture, and Pattern.

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PSALM 133

How Good and Pleasant Is Unity

(A Song of Ascents. Of David)

1Behold, how good and how pleasant it is

For brothers to dwell together in unity!

 

2It is like the good oil upon the head,

Coming down upon the beard,

Aaron’s beard,

Coming down upon the edge of his robes.

 

3It is like the dew of Hermon

Coming down upon the mountains of Zion;

For there, Yahweh commanded the blessing—life forever.

 

1.   PARALLELISM:

Verse 1- It is synthetic parallelism because the entire second colon completes and grounds the exclamation of the first colon.

How good and pleasant = Brothers dwell in unity

The unity (of the brothers) is good

Verse 2- It is a synthetic parallelism because each colon expands the previous one and creates a flowing downward movement.

The unity is like a good oil coming down and spread fully

Verse 3- It is synthetic parallelism because each colon progressively develops the previous ones.

The unity is like a Hermon’s dew descending where Yahweh commands His eternal blessing

2.   PICTURE:

A. The good oil poured on Aaron (verse 2)

B. The Dew of Hermon descending upon Mount Zion (Verse 3)

 

3.   PATTERN

A. Descending Pattern

Both images used in this psalm move downward. The psalmist uses the phrase ‘Coming down Upon’ 3 times in this psalm. And also, it gives the picture of descending-

Verse 2 — Oil: Head  Beard              Robes

Verse 3 — Dew: Hermon   Zion        blessing

B. The Progressive Pattern

The Psalm progresses step by step. Each colon develops the previous one rather than merely repeating it.

Good oil: Upon the head, upon the beard, Aaron’s beard, edge of robes

And:

Dew of Hermon: Mountains of Zion, Yahweh commands blessing, life forever

C. Repetition Pattern

  • Good in verses 1 and 2
  • Coming down Upon (3 times)

 

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