Psalm 133--Exegetical Thoughts

Psalm 33 is short and sweet, and so, I feel this exegetical sketch will be, as well!

Psalm 133 is a part of the collection of the Songs of Ascents (Ps. 120-134), which share a theme of Zion as a place of blessing (Mays 412). McCann points out that the "Songs of Ascents were used as a sort of hymnal as families made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and returned home" (Psalms for Preaching and Worship 344). Thus, it is easy to imagine the setting for this Psalm as a gathering of faithful pilgrims, brought together by their common destination and bound by their experiences of God in their midst. Indeed, Psalm 133 could actually function as a comment on the Songs of Ascents--a momentary aside of a pilgrim to his neighbor about how wonderful it is to be singing with others.

McCann (343-345) and Mays (412-414) do a good job of explaining the references and allusions present in this short poem, so I will not reiterate those. However, I do want to propose an alternate reading of vs. 3b: "For there the Lord ordained his blessing, life evermore." Though based on its context as a Psalm of Ascents and on the logic of the poem, "there" most likely refers to the actual place of Zion, I wonder how the interpretation shifts if we assume the "there" to be family instead. What if God ordains God's blessing within the family of God?

This would beg the question--who is the family of God? The Psalms themselves provide answers enough--all creation is the family of God, and it is in our relationships with our fellow human and creation that we do justice and act righteously. If, as McCann said during class, that God's intent for the world is justice and righteousness, then wouldn't it make sense that when that work is being done--work that binds strangers together as family--God annoints those present?

Psalm 133 makes me consider what experiences are like "pilgrim" experiences for us? When might it be appropriate to utilize this Psalm? Limburg tells the story of teaching it at youth camps and retreats. Indeed, these are liminal experiences. I also could see utilizing them during a mission trip, or even as a greeting during weekly worship. Further, it could be a prayer of stretching into new places to meet new people as a reminder of the scope of God's kingdom.