Psalms 133:2

It is like the precious ointment.

Unity compared to oil

1. It is precious ointment. It is not to common and ordinary use; oil of any consideration whatsoever, but the best and choicest that could be lighted on: like that wherewith Mary Magdalene anointed Christ before His passion (Mark 14:3). Such was this whereunto the concord of brethren is compared here in this Scripture. To set forth unto us the preciousness and excellency of it. It is a virtue of very rare account, and so to be esteemed of by us. It is such which carries a good name and report with it, and accordingly like that is also better than precious ointment.

2. It is compared not to oil enclosed and shut up in a vessel, but to oil effused and poured forth abroad, which is more significant, as that which does cast forth a special fragrancy and odoriferousness with it. Look how a box of precious ointment when it is broken casts forth such a smell as does refresh the nostrils and brains of all such persons as are made partakers of it. So in like manner the unity of brethren is very sweet to all that observe it.

3. It is not the anointing only of some Levite, or common priest, but the anointing of Aaron himself, who was the highest priest of all, and therein a special type of Christ, as prefigured, and shadowed out in him.

4. It was not oil which rested only upon Aaron’s head, but ran down upon his heard, and froth thence further to the skirts of his garments, which is a lively description to us of the property of this grace of love and brotherly agreement. It is such as does not rest itself only in those who are the next and immediate subjects of it, but it conveys itself to many others. Love it is of a very diffusive and communicative disposition. (T. Horton, D. D.)