Thijs Booij, «Psalm 133: "Behold, how good and how pleasant"», Vol. 83 (2002) 258-267

The opening line of Psalm 133 is, literally, about a social practice; the comparisons following it suggest that in fact a gathering of YHWH’s worshippers is meant. The latter is confirmed by the final line. V. 3a has a bridging function in that its last words ("on the mountains of Zion"), although belonging to the imagery of the comparison, are actually direct expression, relating to the statement of v. 1 (‘inversion’). The situation hinted at can hardly be other than the gathering in Jerusalem on the occasion of a religious festival. In view of the subtle structure and inner cohesion of Psalm 133, it is scarcely plausible that its present meaning is due to some form of adaptation.

mountains of Zion, a pleasant refreshment⁵³; however, its ‘coming down’ there is highly unlikely. Something else must be meant. This being the case, it is important to see that dew may be an expression, even a symbol, of divine blessing⁵⁴. Could ‘dew’ refer to the notion of blessing here? V. 3b confirms that it does, as we read, "For there YHWH has commanded the blessing..."⁵⁵. The statement of the opening line can now be clarified. The brotherly ‘dwelling together’ is good and pleasant, even a blessing, like dew of Hermon. In its being like this dew, it is a divine gift, and this gift "comes down⁵⁶ on the mountains of Zion". So, obviously, the ‘dwelling’ is in Zion.

        On the mountains of Zion, the brotherly being together is joyful, refreshing, beneficial. It can be so since "there YHWH has commanded the blessing, life for evermore". The place where Israel’s God is worshipped is a place of well-being, welfare, happiness to even the most distant generations⁵⁷.

        In retrospect, a few concluding observations may be made.

        (1) The poem as a whole shows progression and development. Its first line suggests a situation that could be secular, its last line one that is clearly religious; the transition is in v. 2 mentioning Aaron. The first line speaks of something ‘good’ and ‘pleasant’, the last line is about a blessing; the transition is in v. 3a mentioning the ‘dew’, a symbol of blessing. The last line makes clear that v. 3a is more than just comparison; it thus explains the opening line.

        (2) The situation which the author had in mind can scarcely be other than the gathering of Israelites on the occasion of a religious festival in Jerusalem (Deut 16,11.14.16)⁵⁸. In view of the subtle structure and inner cohesion of the psalm, it is hard to believe that its present meaning is due to some form of adaptation. Those who first heard this ry#$ (‘song’, v. 1a) must have understood the author’s intention from the very beginning. They certainly did if they took part in the twl(m (‘ascents’, v. 1a), by which are meant, I think, processions to the temple⁵⁹.