Psalms 133:2

It is like the precious ointment, &c.— This verse is explained by Exodus 30:23; Exodus 30:38 where God gave directions concerning the ointment which was to anoint Aaron and his sons. It was to be composed of several rich spices, which, by being rightly tempered and mixed together, yielded a most fragrant odour, and thus became a most expressive emblem of an unanimous and well cemented society; all jointly conspiring, and in strict friendship contributing, according to their various capacities, tempers, and conditions, to the good and welfare of the whole. Dr. Hammond, and after him Mr. Johnson, carry this comparison further, and suppose that the anointing oil being said to go down to the skirts of Aaron's cloathing, implies that unity is a blessing to the subject, as well as the governor; to the meanest person in the society, as well as the greatest. This is certainly a truth; but it may be questioned whether it was intended by the Psalmist to be here implied. The former part of the comparison is beautiful and elegant; and in general it may not be proper to expect that every circumstance of a simile mentioned in scripture should hold good throughout. Mons. Fleury has well observed, that the resemblance generally falls upon some one single circumstance; and the rest are added, not as parts of the comparison, but try give some agreeable and natural image of the thing from whence the comparison is taken. He produces as a remarkable instance Solomon's Song, ch. Psalms 6:6.