Psalm 133:2-3

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Psalm 133:2 tn Heb “[it is] like the good oil on the head, going down on the beard.”
2. Psalm 133:2 tn Heb “which goes down in accordance with his measured things.” The Hebrew phrase מִדּוֹתָיו (middotayv, “his measured things”) refers here to the robes worn by Aaron. HALOT 546 s.v. *מַד derives the term from מַד (mad, “robe”) rather than מִדָּה (middah, “measured thing”). Ugaritic md means “robe” and is pluralized mdt.
3. Psalm 133:3 sn Hermon refers to Mount Hermon, located north of Israel.
4. Psalm 133:3 sn The hills of Zion are those surrounding Zion (see Pss 87:1; 125:2). The psalmist does not intend to suggest that the dew from Mt. Hermon in the distant north actually flows down upon Zion. His point is that the same kind of heavy dew that replenishes Hermon may also be seen on Zion’s hills. See A. Cohen, Psalms (SoBB), 439. “Dew” here symbolizes divine blessing, as the next line suggests.
5. Psalm 133:3 tn Or “for.”
6. Psalm 133:3 tn Heb “there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forever.”