                         Behold...(Psalm 133)
                       by Wayne E. Sirmon, MPS
     (Reprinted by permission of The Philalethes - February 1990)

     There  was tension in the Lodge that night. A proposal to  change 
the  By-Laws explained the much higher than normal attendance. A  Past 
Master of more than twenty years, who few of the current officers  had 
ever  seen, rose. He represented an unknown quantity, both factions  - 
pro  and con - were tense. With measured politeness the  elderly  Past 
Master  requested the Worshipful Master's permission to speak. What  a 
deep, golden voice! A voice that commanded respect and full attention. 
Even  though this was the only time I ever heard this man  speak,  the 
rich tones are still full in my memory.

     "Behold,  how  good  and pleasant it is  for  brethren  to  dwell 
together in unity."

     This  wise Mason, after a long absence from his Lodge,  had  once 
more  served the principles of Masonry well. The outcome of  the  vote 
was  set  into  its proper perspective.  Harmony,  unity,  brotherhood 
prevailed.

     Psalm  133  is the first of many quotations from the  Holy  Bible 
which  the  new Mason hears. The recitation of this  scripture  lesson 
accompanies  each candidate as he begins his Masonic journey. For  the 
vast  majority  of  Masons, only the first words  of  this  Psalm  are 
memorable.  There  is little written to help the  Mason  increase  his 
understanding of this short psalm.

     This psalm is identified with David, King of Israel and father of 
King  Solomon. The opening verse brings the theme of the psalm to  the 
front.  While it is natural for us to attribute "brethren" to  signify 
the  universal  bond of like-thinking men, some scholars take  a  more 
limited  view. Their discussion is based on the psalmist's  praise  of 
this ideal description of the family. The family is very important  to 
the  writers of the Old Testament and it provides many guidelines  for 
the  proper regulation of family affairs. It has also  been  suggested 
that the psalm was penned for the instruction of David's "many sons by 
many wives."

     It  is common for us to consider the biblical passages on two  or 
more levels. Writings can be viewed from the concentric circles of the 
individual, family, tribe (or nation) and world. While it is "good and 
pleasant"  for biological brothers to "dwell together in  unity"  this 
does not eliminate additional meanings.

     After a long period of independent tribal activities, Israel  was 
undergoing  a redevelopment of its national spirit. Likewise today  we 
recognize  the  satisfaction which is felt when people  are  bound  by 
unity of spirit and purpose.

     The  remainder  of  the  psalm paints  two  word  pictures  which 
describe  this  brotherly love. First is the anointing  oil  which  is 
poured  on the head. The fragrance of the strongly perfumed oil  would 
fill  the air as the oil slowly drips down from the head to  the  long 
beard.  Aaron's  beard was not to be cut (Leviticus 21:5) so  that  it 
reached  the collar (skirt) of his robes. In a manner similar  to  the 
burning  of incense, the fragrance of the oil spreads out and fills  a 
room  with  its  perfume. In just a way,  the  spirit  of  brotherhood 
permeates a group of people.

     One  of the pleasures of Masonic membership is the  privilege  of 
visitation. Without regard for region, formality, size or  ritualistic 
proficiency,  the  "fragrance"  of  unity of  the  local  brethren  is 
unmistakable.  The  most  vivid examples of  this  indescribable,  yet 
inescapable, spirit of unity are from Lodges whose acts of charity and 
friendship  demonstrate their adherence to the highest  principles  of 
our Order.

     Mount Hermon is the highest mountain in Israel and was apparently 
famous  for  its heavy dew. This dew and the dew on the  mountains  of 
Zion were critical sources of water. The nightly deposits of dew  were 
essential.  In  a  like manner, without unity,  brothers  become  mere 
acquaintances and purpose becomes a pipe dream.

     The  analogy  of the dew can be extended further. Dew,  rain  and 
rivers  all  are  sources  of water. The water of  the  river  can  be 
controlled  by  man.  Armies  seek control  of  rivers.  They  provide 
obstacles which provide strength to the defense, and their valleys are 
often  the  major areas of commerce and production.  With  the  proper 
selection  of a river site, fortunes have been made, battles won,  and 
destinies altered. The river water represents wisdom.

     Rain is a fickle resource. The twin excesses of drought and flood 
have  produced the greatest natural disasters in human  history.  Rain 
plays  important roles in the global cycles of water and energy  which 
are so enormous that they defy complete appreciation. Rain defines the 
fertile  valley  and the "dust bowl." The rainfall fills  the  rivers, 
providing us with fresh water and a cooling relief from the hot summer 
winds.  The clouds, we have discovered, play an important role in  the 
climate of the earth. The tremendous energy of the hurricane is stored 
in  the warmth of the water caught up in its furious clouds. The  most 
forbidding  terrain  on earth, deserts are created  when  rainfall  is 
absent. The rain water represents strength.

     A  preschooler recognizes the special nature of the morning  dew. 
Poets'  imaginations  have been captured by the wonder which  the  dew 
bestows  upon the morning. Compared with the rivers and rain, the  dew 
seems to be on more of a human scale; touchable, within reach, if  not 
within understanding. Dew is local. The rain falls from high above and 
the  river has its source miles upstream. The dew which greets you  as 
you  step across the front lawn is a small scale phenomenon.  The  dew 
represents beauty.

     The  psalm closes with the blessing of God on those who  live  in 
the  spirit  of unity. When we read of the supreme blessing  of  "life 
forever  more"  which is commanded for those who  dwell  in  brotherly 
love,  we are reminded that the God of the Old Testament is a  God  of 
Love.

     Many  writers  have questioned if Freemasonry  will  continue  to 
thrive. The twentieth century has brought us many changes.  Inventions 
and  innovations  have quickened the pace of life and place  our  most 
honored  principles in jeopardy. Psalm 133 gives us an assurance  that 
the bands of our fraternal brotherhood, being second only to those  of 
blood,  are  pleasing to our heavenly Father who guided  His  poet  to 
write  "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to  dwell 
together in unity!"

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