Psalms 132:3
As the dew of Hermon, which descendeth upon mount Sion. For there the Lord hath commandeth blessing, and life for evermore.
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- Vulgate (Clementine)
- sicut ros Hermon, qui descendit in montem Sion. Quoniam illic mandavit Dominus benedictionem, et vitam usque in sæculum.
- Septuagint (Swete)
- ὡς δρόσος Ἁερμὼν ἡ καταβαίνουσα ἐπὶ τὰ ὄρη Σιών· ὅτι ἐκεῖ ἐνετείλατο Κύριος τὴν εὐλογίαν καὶ ζωὴν ἕως τοῦ αἰῶνος.
- Hebrew (WLC) shown from Psalms 133:3
- כְּטַל חֶרְמ֗וֹן שֶׁיֹּרֵד֮ עַל הַרְרֵ֪י צִ֫יּ֥וֹן כִּ֤י שָׁ֨ם צִוָּ֣ה יְ֭הוָה אֶת הַבְּרָכָ֑ה חַ֝יִּ֗ים עַד הָעוֹלָֽם
Haydock's commentary
On verses 2 to 3
Precious. Is expressed in Hebrew. The name of Aaron would sufficiently denote that it was of this nature. (Berthier) See Exodus xxx. 23.
Moses poured it on his head, with such profusion that it ran upon all his beard, and even be the skirt, or neck, as the Septuagint insinuate, though the Hebrew means "the mouth," or orifice, through which the head entered, (Calmet) as the robes resembled our sacred vestments. (Haydock)
The union of priests is no less sweet. (Calmet)
Of this we need no other proof than to behold the advantages of concord in every community, and especially in the Church of God. The unction of Aaron denoted grace and unity descending from the head of the Church, to the other priests, and to the meanest of the faithful; (Worthington) or that which Hebrew, "of Hermon descending on the mountains of Sion," Tsiyon. (Haydock)
There is a hill written Ssiyon at the foot of Hermon, Exodus iv. 48., and Ecclesiasticus xxiv. 17. It is not probable that dew should flow 50 leagues across the Jordan. (Calmet)
Unity is equally desirable, as moisture to a thirsty soil. (Haydock)
Sion may here denote any "dry" mountain. (Muis)
There was also a Hermon in the tribe of Issachar, and the dews in that country resembled showers of rain. Such copiousness would be very refreshing, like fraternal concord. The enemies of Christianity observed how the disciples loved each other, being of one heart and soul, (Berthier) as their divine master had taught them to be thus distinguished. (Haydock)
As the snow or dew which descends from Hermon, causes fruitfulness, so does concord promote piety. (Worthington)
Read on
There, in concord, or in the temple. (Calmet)
The holy Spirit came upon the disciples when they were together, Acts ii., and iv. 32. (Worthington)
Life everlasting. Jonathan was not preserved from dying young, though he was so faithful to his friend, and the possession (Berthier) of temporal prosperity cannot satisfy the heart.
From Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, 1859, in the transcription made by Todd Easton and kept online by John Paul Wohlschied at johnblood.gitlab.io/haydock.
The Fathers on this verse
St Augustine Expositions on the Book of Psalms, Psalm CXXXIII
7. “As the dew of Hermon, which fell upon the hills of Sion” ( ver. 3 ). He would have it understood, my brethren, that it is of God’s grace that brethren dwell together in unity.…