Masonic Education

Dwelling in Unity

In Psalm 133, there are words that we, as Masons, are very familiar with. They are as follows:

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like precious oil upon the head, running down upon the beard, upon the beard of Aaron running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord commanded the blessing, life for evermore.

I wonder if we are able to catch all that the writer is trying to impart! These are words that are filled with deep meaning. They are words that need to be heard in the society in which we live. Today our society and our world are in desperate need of the message that is given in these three short verses. The profound message that is here, should go deep within the inner recesses of our being and help us to come to a better understanding of what unity is all about.

The Psalmist begins with a very simple statement: "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!" As we begin, let it be understood that when the Psalmist uses the word "brothers," we must insert "sisters," or any combination where two or three are involved. And, we will want to explore the implications when we expand this idea to encompass the world.

Can we bring ourselves to experience what the Psalmist is talking? Do you know the feeling of what life is like when there is harmony, understanding and acceptance?

In far too many cases, this is the exception, rather than the norm. Most of the time our experience in life tends to be a life where there is everything but harmony. Our fast pace more or less demands that we seek to achieve or climb a ladder. When this becomes the norm in life, there are too many occasions when we do not take the time to understand what others are thinking or feeling. We are always looking over our shoulder wondering

who is creeping up to us, trying to bypass us, or perhaps trying to push us out of line for something we seek.

It is important that, when we come to this point in life, that we take time to know who we are and what we are. We must examine our lives and feel the goodness that can be there when all is harmonious. I am sure there have been times in our lives when we have known this feeling of tranquility, peace or calm. Perhaps it has come when the kids are finally in bed and settled down. All is quiet, and for a few moments you can sit back and enjoy the peace of life. The Psalmist is saying that it is this kind of feeling that is great and should be the norm of our lives. How good and pleasant it is when we can dwell in unity.

In my ministry, I have witnessed all too often that when people disagree on issues, it is not just a difference of opinion, but it is like a wedge that separates and divides. People state their side of an issue and then immediately shut off their hearing as to what the other person is trying to say. There does not seem to be a willingness to try to hear what the other person has to say. Nor, is there an effort made to try to find a way wherein things can be worked out in agreement between the parties. Somehow there must come that moment when we take the initiative, and become the person who is willing to listen and seek to dwell in unity.

We can begin the practice of living together in unity within our own families. Then we can move to other areas of our lives. We are living in a time when there is great discord in our society. People are running here and there doing their own thing, not mindful of others, and bound and determined to be there first. Somehow, there must come that moment when people begin to stop and realize that others are involved. Someone needs to put forth those expressions of life that indicate that dwelling in unity produces far better feelings than can otherwise be experienced.

“Psalm 133”

“Behold how good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity!

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.

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 forevermore.”

Psalm 133 is one of the most recognizable passages from the Holy Writings in our ritual. It is recited in its entirety during the circumambulation of the Entered Apprentice degree and in the public opening that we often use for our installations. It is often recited without consideration to its meaning or its significance to the lessons taught within the degree.

This Psalm was written after the Jews had returned from their captivity in Babylon. Prior to their captivity, they lived close to the place they were born as possible which resulted in a closeness and a deep sense of loyalty to their family and their tribe. As a result of their captivity, this closeness had deteriorated and many of the Jews that returned had been born in Babylon and had no ties to their homeland. The first line, “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” serves as a reminder of the times prior to their captivity. It also demonstrates the need to rebuild those ties and to again to draw close to each other for national strength, religious ties and a strict observance to the laws of God.

The second line: “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” refers to an old Jewish custom. Precious ointment refers to a perfumed oil that a host would anoint his guests with. It refreshed the body after being in the desert for several days. The historical reference to Aaron refers to the older brother of Moses who was a high priest. In that time, the robes of the high priest were long and flowing. Aaron was anointed for his office in a beautiful ceremony before the people.

The third line: “As the dew of Hermon. And as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion.” alludes to the heavy and refreshing nature of the dew common to the region. There is little rain in the summer months and the dew was essential for sustaining life in the region. This dew is referred to in scripture as the dews of divine grace and when it did not come it was thought of as a judgement. The “dews of Hermon”, often mispronounced as Herman, refers to Mount Hermon, a mountain on the northern boundary of Israel and is visible throughout Palestine. The “mountains of Zion” refers to one of the hills of Jerusalem where King Solomon built his temple.

In the final line, “For there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life forevermore.” the writer is telling us that when unity is established and the spirit of brotherhood prevails, the Lord will give his blessing.

With this understanding of Psalm 133, it can be interpreted as reminding us that unity and closeness to our fellow man refreshes our bodies, our hearts and our souls as a sweet-smelling perfume or a heavy rain would refresh us after being in the desert for days and that Lord wishes this upon us in abundance. Though how this psalm came to be connected to Freemasonry may never be known, why it is connected with us seems easy to understand. The whole passage is a glorification of the beauty of brotherly love, which is why it is a part of the Entered Apprentice Degree, where that principle tenet is first introduced to the candidate and in the public opening which may be the first or only exposure to our fraternity a guest may see. Brother Valdir Fernandes, in the October 1999 edition of the “Trowel” magazine said of psalm 133 that “it is an eloquent description of the beauty of the fraternal love, and for this reason, much more appropriate to illustrate a society whose existence depends on those noble principles.”

As Masons, brotherly love is much more that caring for our Brethren. It is also striving for that unity of purpose which among a Masonic Lodge and among its members is an essential characteristic that enables us to do our good work. It helps us to achieve that harmony which we are taught "is the strength and support of all institutions, more especially this of ours."

Original Document