Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 133:3

"Like the dew of Hermon, That cometh down upon the mountains of Zion: For there Jehovah commanded the blessing, Even life for evermore." — Psalms 133:3 (ASV)

As the dew of Hermon ... - Regarding the location of Mount Hermon, see the notes at (Psalms 89:12). The literal rendering of this passage would be, “Like the dew of Hermon which descends on the mountains of Zion.”

According to the English version being discussed, two things are referred to: the dew of Hermon, and the dew on the mountains of Zion. However, this is not in the original Hebrew text. In the original, no dew is referred to except that which belongs to Hermon.

Naturally, it has been questioned how the dew of Hermon, a remote mountain, could be said to descend on the mountains of Zion. The translators of this English version sought to solve the difficulty by inserting the words “and as the dew.”

Some have supposed that the proper interpretation is to refer the comparison in the passage to the dew of Hermon, and that all that follows is an application of the thought: “Like the dew of Hermon is the influence which comes down upon the mountains of Zion,” etc.

However, the most probable and plausible interpretation, it seems to me, is that the poet’s mind was turned to the dew of Hermon—to its gentleness, copiousness, and vivifying nature, diffusing beauty and abundance all around. He then thought of that dew, or dew like it, as descending on the mountains of Zion.

This is not to say that the dew of Hermon actually descended there. Rather, when changing the comparison from oil to dew to illustrate brotherly love, the poet most naturally thought (perhaps from some former observation) of the dew of Hermon. He immediately envisioned Zion as if that dew descended there.

That is, love, unity, and concord in Zion would be as if the dew of Hermon were to descend on the barren hills of Zion or Jerusalem, diffusing beauty, abundance, and fertility there.

Comparing the influence of brotherly love, or unity, with dew is not forced or unnatural. Dew is so calm, so gentle, and so refreshing on the tender grain, young plants, and flowers, that it serves as a striking image of the influences that produce brotherly love and harmony.

For there the Lord commanded the blessing - He appointed Zion as the place of worship, as the seat of His residence, and the source of all holy influences. See (Psalms 78:67–69, note; Psalms 87:2, note).

Even life for evermore - This literally means “Life to eternity.” That is, such influences go forth from that place to lead to eternal life, or to secure eternal life.

It is in Zion, in His church, that He has made known the way to eternal life and the means by which it may be obtained.

Until the end of the world, this beautiful psalm will be sung in the church, both as expressing the charm found in unity among brethren and within the church, and as tending to promote that unity whose beauty it is designed to commend.

Happy will be that day when the church is so united that this psalm can be sung everywhere, expressing what truly is, and not merely what should be.