Psalm 133: Praying for Unity
FOR MEDITATION
As we have been looking at different Psalms this summer, you have probably noticed that there is quite a range of different kinds of psalms. Some of them are jubilant with thanksgiving and praise (Psalms of Praise). Some of them grieve the state of the world (Psalms of Lament). Some of them cry for mercy (Psalms of Confession). Some of them shout for vengeance (Imprecatory Psalms- we'll look at one of these in a couple weeks!). Some of them rest in God's care (Psalms of Thanksgiving).
The range of expression in the Psalms is beautiful because this is the way life is. No one just moves from one clear emotional stage to the next in any kind of systematic way. One day you may be feeling on the top of the world, the next day something might happen that brings you to the pit. The Psalms express the way life actually happens to us and helps us live in communication with God in the midst of the ups and downs of life.
Another category of Psalms is called the Wisdom Psalms. These psalms are a little different than the others, because they tend to take a step back from the weeds of life and do broader reflection about the nature of God and his world. They tend to be a bit more doctrinal than experiential, a bit more didactic than expressive. Again, this is like life as well- from time to time we must pause from the daily demands of life and do some reflection about God and our life with him from a slightly more objective point of view. The Wisdom Psalms, along with other wisdom literature like the Book of Proverbs, help us do that.
This Sunday we'll be looking at Psalm 133. Our preacher will be David Bailey. David attends East End Fellowship and is the Executive Director of Arrabon, a ministry that equips churches and organizations with cultural intelligence and reconciliation practices to be a "foretaste of heaven." We are priveldged to have David with us this week, and look forward to exploring how Psalm 133 implores us to work for unity.
Our weekly worship guide can be downloaded here.
PSALM 133
1 How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.
