Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is when brothers live in harmony!

◄ Psalm 133:1 ►

New International Version
A song of ascents. Of David. How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

New Living Translation
How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!

English Standard Version
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

Berean Standard Bible
A song of ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!

King James Bible
A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

New King James Version
A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!

New American Standard Bible
A Song of Ascents, of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to live together in unity!

NASB 1995
A Song of Ascents, of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!

NASB 1977
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!

Legacy Standard Bible
A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!

Amplified Bible
A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!

Christian Standard Bible
A song of ascents. Of David. How delightfully good when brothers live together in harmony!

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A Davidic song of ascents. How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!

American Standard Version
A Song of Ascents; of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!

Contemporary English Version
It is truly wonderful when the people of God live together in peace.

English Revised Version
A Song of Ascents; of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[A song by David for going up to worship.] See how good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in harmony!

Good News Translation
How wonderful it is, how pleasant, for God's people to live together in harmony!

International Standard Version
Look how good and how pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!

Majority Standard Bible
A song of ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!

NET Bible
A song of ascents, by David. Look! How good and how pleasant it is when brothers live together!

New Heart English Bible
[A Song of Ascents. By David.] See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity.

Webster's Bible Translation
A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

World English Bible
A Song of Ascents. By David. See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
A SONG OF THE ASCENTS. BY DAVID. Behold, how good and how pleasant "" The dwelling of brothers—even together!

Young's Literal Translation
A Song of the Ascents, by David. Lo, how good and how pleasant The dwelling of brethren -- even together!

Smith's Literal Translation
Song of ascensions to David. Behold, how good and how pleasant the dwelling of brethren even together.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell in unity.

Catholic Public Domain Version
A Canticle in steps: of David. Behold, how good and how pleasing it is for brothers to dwell in unity.

New American Bible
A song of ascents. Of David. How good and how pleasant it is, when brothers dwell together as one!

New Revised Standard Version
How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
BEHOLD, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
How good and how beautiful for brothers when they dwell as one

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
A Song of Ascents; of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A Song of Degrees. See now! what is so good, or what so pleasant, as for brethren to dwell together?

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

How Pleasant to Live in Harmony
1A song of ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! 2It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron’s beard over the collar of his robes.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

John 17:21-23
that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. / I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one— / I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me.

Ephesians 4:3-6
and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. / There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; / one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ...

1 Corinthians 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction.

Colossians 3:14
And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.

Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.

1 Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble.

Philippians 2:2
then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.

1 John 4:12
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us.

Acts 4:32
The multitude of believers was one in heart and soul. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they owned.

Hebrews 13:1
Continue in brotherly love.

1 Thessalonians 4:9
Now about brotherly love, you do not need anyone to write to you, because you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.

Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

1 John 3:14
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.

Romans 15:5-6
Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you harmony with one another in Christ Jesus, / so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Treasury of Scripture

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

A Song of Dregrees.

Psalm 122:1
A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

Psalm 124:1
A Song of degrees of David. If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;

Psalm 131:1
A Song of degrees of David. LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.

how good

Psalm 122:6-8
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee…

Genesis 13:8
And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.

Genesis 45:24
So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.

together.

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Psalm 133

1. The blessedness of unity among brothers

Berean Study Bible

Behold
The word "Behold" is a call to attention, urging the reader to pause and consider the significance of what follows. In Hebrew, the word is "הִנֵּה" (hinneh), which serves as an exclamation to draw focus. It is often used in Scripture to introduce something of great importance or divine revelation. Here, it emphasizes the beauty and rarity of the unity being described, inviting us to reflect deeply on its value.

how good
The phrase "how good" translates from the Hebrew word "טוֹב" (tov), which conveys a sense of moral goodness, beauty, and pleasantness. In the biblical context, "good" often refers to something that aligns with God's will and purpose. This goodness is not merely subjective but is rooted in the divine order, suggesting that unity among believers is inherently aligned with God's design for humanity.

and how pleasant
"Pleasant" comes from the Hebrew word "נָעִים" (na'im), which means delightful or lovely. This term is used to describe experiences that bring joy and satisfaction. The combination of "good" and "pleasant" underscores that unity is not only morally right but also brings joy and contentment to those who experience it. It suggests that living in harmony is both a duty and a source of deep personal fulfillment.

it is when brothers
The term "brothers" (אַחִים, achim) in Hebrew can refer to biological siblings, but it also extends to a broader sense of kinship among members of a community or nation. In the context of the Psalms, it often refers to the people of Israel, God's chosen people. For Christians, this can be understood as fellow believers, emphasizing the spiritual family formed through faith in Christ. The use of "brothers" highlights the relational aspect of unity, rooted in shared identity and purpose.

live together
"Live together" is derived from the Hebrew "יָשַׁב" (yashab), meaning to dwell or reside. This implies more than just physical proximity; it suggests a shared life and community. The idea of dwelling together encompasses mutual support, shared experiences, and a commitment to one another's well-being. It reflects the biblical ideal of community, where individuals are interconnected and interdependent.

in harmony
The phrase "in harmony" translates the Hebrew "יָחַד" (yachad), which means togetherness or unity. This word conveys a sense of oneness and agreement, where differences are reconciled, and individuals work towards a common goal. In the biblical narrative, harmony is often associated with peace (shalom) and the absence of conflict. It is a state of being that reflects God's kingdom, where love and cooperation prevail over division and strife.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(1) In unity.--Better, altogether. The Hebrew particle gam, here used with the word "together," is in our version sometimes rendered "yea," when it plainly should be taken with the adjective to intensify it exactly like our "all." (See, for instance, Psalm 25:3; 2Samuel 19:30.) The common idiom, gam shenayim, "all two" (i.e., both), exactly like the French tous deux, and the German alle beide, decides this. Many commentators, rendering also together, see an emphasis on the gathering for the yearly feasts: "How good and pleasant for those who are by race and religion brothers to unite for a sacred purpose" The allusion may be there, but the conjecture and purpose of the psalm, and not the form of the expression, suggest it. To a Hebrew, political and religious sentiment were always combined; and Jerusalem was the centre towards which their thoughts and eyes always turned. The translation of the LXX., "to the same place," though not exactly rendering the Hebrew, perhaps brings out the thought, for the poet was plainly thinking of "unity at Zion." This verse was quoted by the Roman legate at the meeting of Anselm and William II. at Windsor, Whitsunday, 1095. It was read at the reception of a new member into the brotherhood of the Knights Templars, and is by St. Augustine quoted as the Divine authority for monastic life.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 1. - Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! The unity described appears to be existent, and to present itself to the psalmist's vision. Hence the opening, "Behold!" All may see it, and see how blessed and pleasant a thing it is. "Brethren" is used in the wide sense of descendants of a common ancestor (Genesis 13:8; Exodus 2:11; Acts 7:26, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

A Song
שִׁ֥יר (šîr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7892: A song, singing

of Ascents.
הַֽמַּעֲל֗וֹת (ham·ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4609: Elevation, the act, the condition, a climactic progression

Of David.
לְדָ֫וִ֥ד (lə·ḏā·wiḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

Behold,
הִנֵּ֣ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

how
מַה־ (mah-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

good
טּ֭וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

and how
וּמַה־ (ū·mah-)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

pleasant it is
נָּעִ֑ים (nā·‘îm)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5273: Pleasant, delightful

when
גַּם־ (gam-)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

brothers
אַחִ֣ים (’a·ḥîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 251: A brother, )

live
שֶׁ֖בֶת (še·ḇeṯ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in harmony!
יָֽחַד׃ (yā·ḥaḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3162: A unit, unitedly

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OT Poetry: Psalm 133:1 A Song of Ascents (Psalm Ps Psa.)