The Psalms of Ascent were psalms or songs sung by Jewish pilgrims as they traveled and ascended to Jerusalem to attend one of the many feasts that would take place there annually.
In many ways the Psalms can be representative of a spiritual journey of climbing or ascending higher' and deeper into the presence of God. Psalm 133 & 134 are the last two psalms of the spiritual journey that is the Psalms of Ascent.
Ps. 133 This Psalm is about unity and community As the pilgrims are coming to the conclusion of their journey at the Holy city to meet with and celebrate their God-they are reminded how important their unity as God's people is.
"How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity" (v. 1)
This obvious statement becomes all the more profoundly true when we consider how unpleasant and difficult it is whenGod's people (brothers and sisters in the Lord) do not live together in unity!
(some examples)
King David himself was familiar with how unpleasant it is when jealousy and rivalry dominated his relationship with his own brothers.
(consider the story of the choosing of David to be the next king ahead of his older brothers as well as the story of David and Goliath)
David knew about sibling rivalry and jealousy. It would have seemed very good and pleasant to David when brothers & sisters (Gods' family) live together in unity.
Johnathan (King souls' son) was probably the only person David experienced this kind of good, pleasing brotherly love with.
So, how about us as a church today; us as a community; as God's people; brothers and sisters? How are we doing living in love and unity?As followers of Christ, we are brothers and sisters, we are all part of a family. Consider Jesus' prayer for unity among his church before his arrest and crucifixion (Jn. 17:20-23). "My prayer is also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one... so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one... may they be brought to complete unity. then the world will know that you sent me....
Question-So how are we doing? Are we the good and pleasant family that dwells together in unity?
Historically the church has not always done this very well. Too often there has been division rather than unity.
It seems that Jesus knew his church would struggle with this and that was why he prayed for our unity just before he went to the cross.
It is important to be united. It is our witness to the world and it is through unity bless us and be close to us. That is the whole point of the rest of PS. 133.
Consider the blessing or anointing with the abundant, even excessive amount of oil upon Aaron. It is a picture of the excessive, generous blessing that comes to God's people when they dwell in unity together.
Psalm 134 As we unite together as Christ's body; as God's People and come into his presencewhat then? What should we do when we arrive and gather together in his presence?
(consider Jerusalem on one of those great feast days when the people have gathered from near and far)
We come and we unite together to praise and to bless the Lord!