Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary

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Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

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P S A L M S

PSALM CXXXIII.

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This psalm is a brief encomium on unity and brotherly love, which, if

we did not see the miseries of discord among men, we should think

needless; but we cannot say too much, it were well if we could say

enough, to persuade people to live together in peace. Some conjecture

that David penned this psalm upon occasion of the union between the

tribes when they all met unanimously to make him king. It is a psalm of

general use to all societies, smaller and larger, civil and sacred.

Here is,

I. The doctrine laid down of the happiness of brotherly love,

ver. 1.

II. The illustration of that doctrine, in two similitudes,

ver. 2, 3.

III. The proof of it, in a good reason given for it

(ver. 3);

and then we are left to make the application, which we ought to do in

singing it, provoking ourselves and one another to holy love. The

contents of this psalm in our Bibles, are short, but very proper; it is

“the benefit of the communion of saints.”

Brotherly Love.

A song of degrees of David.

     

1 Behold, how good and how

pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

  2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran

down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the

skirts of his garments;

  3 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.

     

Here see,

I. What it is that is commended–brethren’s dwelling together in

unity, not only not quarrelling, and devouring one another, but

delighting in each other with mutual endearments, and promoting each

other’s welfare with mutual services. Sometimes it is chosen, as the

best expedient for preserving peace, that brethren should live asunder

and at a distance from each other; that indeed may prevent enmity and

strife

(Gen. xiii. 9),

but the goodness and pleasantness are for brethren to dwell

together and so to dwell in unity, to dwell even as one (so

some read it), as having one heart, one soul, one interest. David had

many sons by many wives; probably he penned this psalm for their

instruction, to engage them to love another, and, if they had done

this, much of the mischief that arose in his family would have been

happily prevented. The tribes of Israel had long had separate interests

during the government of the Judges, and it was often of bad

consequence; but now that they were united under one common head he

would have them sensible how much it was likely to be for their

advantage, especially since now the ark was fixed, and with it the

place of their rendezvous for public worship and the centre of their

unity. Now let them live in love.

     

II. How commendable it is: Behold, how good and how pleasant it

is! It is good in itself, agreeable to the will of God, the

conformity of earth to heaven. It is good for us, for our honour and

comfort. It is pleasant and pleasing to God and all good men; it brings

constant delight to those who do thus live in unity. Behold, how

good! We cannot conceive or express the goodness and pleasantness

of it. Behold it is a rare thing, and therefore admirable. Behold and

wonder that there should be so much goodness and pleasantness among

men, so much of heaven on this earth! Behold it is an amiable thing,

which will attract our hearts. Behold it is an exemplary thing, which,

where it is, is to be imitated by us with a holy emulation.

     

III. How the pleasantness of it is illustrated.

     

1. It is fragrant as the holy anointing oil, which was strongly

perfumed, and diffused its odours, to the great delight of all the

bystanders, when it was poured upon the head of Aaron, or his successor

the high priest, so plentifully that it ran down the face, even to the

collar or binding of the garment,

v. 2.

(1.) This ointment was holy. So must our brotherly love be, with a pure

heart, devoted to God. We must love those that are begotten for his

sake that begat,
1 John v. 1.

(2.) This ointment was a composition made up by a divine dispensatory;

God appointed the ingredients and the quantities. Thus believers are

taught of God to love one another; it is a grace of his working

in us.

(3.) It was very precious, and the like to it was not to be made for

any common use. Thus holy love is, in the sight of God, of great price;

and that is precious indeed which is so in God’s sight.

(4.) It was grateful both to Aaron himself and to all about him. So is

holy love; it is like ointment and perfume which rejoice the

heart. Christ’s love to mankind was part of that oil of

gladness with which he was anointed above his fellows.

(5.) Aaron and his sons were not admitted to minister unto the Lord

till they were anointed with this ointment, nor are our services

acceptable to God without this holy love; if we have it not we are

nothing,

1 Cor. xiii. 1, 2.

     

2. It is fructifying. It is profitable as well as pleasing; it is as

the dew; it brings abundance of blessings along with it, as

numerous as the drops of dew. It cools the scorching heat of men’s

passions, as the evening dews cool the air and refresh the earth. It

contributes very much to our fruitfulness in every thing that is good;

it moistens the heart, and makes it tender and fit to receive the good

seed of the word; as, on the contrary, malice and bitterness

unfit us to receive it,

1 Pet. ii. 1.

It is as the dew of Hermon, a common hill (for brotherly love is

the beauty and benefit of civil societies), and as the dew that

descended upon the mountains of Zion, a holy hill, for it

contributes greatly to the fruitfulness of sacred societies. Both

Hermon and Zion will wither without this dew. It is said of the dew

that it tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men,
Mic. v. 7.

Nor should our love to our brethren stay for theirs to us (that is

publican’s love), but should go before it–that is divine love.

     

IV. The proof of the excellency of brotherly love. Loving people are

blessed people. For,

1. They are blessed of God, and therefore blessed indeed: There,

where brethren dwell together in unity, the Lord commands the

blessing, a complicated blessing, including all blessings. It is

God’s prerogative to command the blessing, man can but beg a blessing.

Blessings according to the promise are commanded blessings, for he has

commanded his covenant for ever. Blessings that take effect are

commanded blessings, for he speaks and it is done.

2. They are everlastingly blessed. The blessing which God commands on

those that dwell in love is life for evermore; that is the

blessing of blessings. Those that dwell in love not only dwell in God,

but do already dwell in heaven. As the perfection of love is the

blessedness of heaven, so the sincerity of love is the earnest of that

blessedness. Those that live in love and peace shall have the God of

love and peace with them now, and they shall be with him shortly, with

him for ever, in the world of endless love and peace. How good then is

it, and how pleasant!

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Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

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