(REFLECTIONS ON Psalm 133:1-3, Psalm 134:1-3)

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity!

For Israel, to dwell together in unity was not just about individuals, families, or people, but about unity with God. It was the meeting of the people of God, in His holy temple, and it was the unity formed as they trekked together and met together in the glory of the Lord.

Individually they walked, but together in unity they dwelled in the presence of God. God is thus the catalyst for unity. That is why the unity that the psalmist writes about in today’s Psalm is likened to the anointing of oil upon Aaron or the dew coming down from the mountains of Zion.

It is the unity in worship, in Jerusalem, at the temple, “for there the Lord commanded blessing—forever.”

For us, to dwell together in unity is not just about you and me, but is about us in Christ. Yes, we are brothers and sisters because we are in Christ, and we dwell together in unity in Christ and in Christ alone.

That is because when we dwell together in unity in Christ, we are united in heart, in purpose, and in Spirit. Unity for the church is not just about individuals seeking to get along with one another, because we know that often times this leads more to conflict, separation, and misunderstanding. Rather, unity for the church is about Christ, and as we meet together to worship Christ as individuals, that is where in Christ we can dwell together in unity.

Unity for the church must be done in Christ, it can’t just be you and me, or them and us, but it must be Christ as the meeting place, the purpose of meeting, and us in Christ. That is how the servants of the Lord bless the Lord. That is why those who serve and worship in Christ are blessed by the Lord.

Let us dwell together in unity, you, me, and us in Christ.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Psalm 133
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Psalm 134