The Meaning of Psalms 133:1 Explained

Psalms 133:1

KJV: {A Song of degrees of David.} Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

YLT: A Song of the Ascents, by David. Lo, how good and how pleasant The dwelling of brethren -- even together!

Darby: {A Song of degrees. Of David.} Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

ASV: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!

KJV Reverse Interlinear

{{A Song  of degrees  of David.  }} Behold, how good  and how pleasant  [it is] for brethren  to dwell  together  in unity! 

What does Psalms 133:1 Mean?

Study Notes

A Song of degrees of David
See title note; .
A Song of degrees
Literally, "of ascents." Perhaps chanted by the people as they went up to Jerusalem to the feasts. See, e.g. Psalms 112:1 ; Psalms 112:2 .

Verse Meaning

The psalmist called the Israelites to consider the beauty of the unity of brethren. He said it is essentially good and it is a pleasant condition. The brethren in view were believers in Israel. This was an appropriate thought for pilgrims to entertain as they anticipated meeting other worshippers in Jerusalem shortly.

Context Summary

Psalms 133:1-3 - Unity Is Of God
The word Behold suggests that some special manifestation of unity was taking place under the psalmist's eyes, perhaps in connection with some great religious festival; or David may have composed it to celebrate the healing of the breach after the death of Ishbosheth. We must not only be one in God's purpose, but must be willing to dwell together, that is, to manifest our unity in outward action. For the precious oil see Exodus 30:20-38 and 1 John 2:27. Our Lord was anointed with the Holy Spirit, and we may share in His Pentecost, Luke 3:21-22; Acts 2:33.
Psalms 134:1-3. The last of the "Songs of Degrees." It may have been addressed to the priests who came on duty after the offering of the evening sacrifice. There was evidently a band of choristers and others who were on duty while Jerusalem slept. The psalm ends with the reciprocal blessing of the watchers on the retreating crowds; commending them, during the hours of darkness, to the care of the Lord of heaven and earth. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 133

1  The blessedness of unity among brothers

What do the individual words in Psalms 133:1 mean?

A Song of Ascents of David Behold how good and how pleasant [it is] to dwell for brothers again together in unity
שִׁ֥יר הַֽמַּעֲל֗וֹת לְדָ֫וִ֥ד הִנֵּ֣ה מַה־ טּ֭וֹב וּמַה־ נָּעִ֑ים שֶׁ֖בֶת אַחִ֣ים גַּם־ יָֽחַד

שִׁ֥יר  A  Song 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: שִׁיר 
Sense: song.
הַֽמַּעֲל֗וֹת  of  Ascents 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine plural
Root: מַעֲלָה 
Sense: what comes up, thoughts.
לְדָ֫וִ֥ד  of  David 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּוִד  
Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.
הִנֵּ֣ה  Behold 
Parse: Interjection
Root: הִנֵּה  
Sense: behold, lo, see, if.
מַה־  how 
Parse: Interrogative
Root: לָמָּה 
Sense: what, how, of what kind.
טּ֭וֹב  good 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: טָבַב 
Sense: good, pleasant, agreeable.
וּמַה־  and  how 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Interrogative
Root: לָמָּה 
Sense: what, how, of what kind.
נָּעִ֑ים  pleasant  [it  is] 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: נָעִים 
Sense: pleasant, delightful, sweet, lovely, agreeable.
שֶׁ֖בֶת  to  dwell 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
אַחִ֣ים  for  brothers 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: אָח  
Sense: brother.
גַּם־  again 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: גַּם  
Sense: also, even, indeed, moreover, yea.
יָֽחַד  together  in  unity 
Parse: Adverb
Root: יַחַד 
Sense: union, unitedness adv.