There are 15 Psalms headed "Songs of Ascents," Psalm 120-134. According to Dr. David L. Cooper in his article "Israel's Place in the Plan of God," ascents refers to "Israel's going up to Jerusalem, which was in the high mountains of Judea, during the three annual feasts." It is also theorized that they were written to be sung upon the 15 steps leading from the outer court to the temple, possibly, since there are 15 of them, one was to be sung upon each step. They may also indicate a spiritual ascent--rising to come closer to God. Thematically, the 15 Psalms include prayers for deliverance from enemies, assurance of God's help, Israel's peace and the restoration of Zion, blessings in the life of the godly man, and praise to God for His response. In particular, Psalm 133 emphasizes unity of the people of God, which was also a desire of Jesus.

 

133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 133:2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard; That came down upon the skirt of his garments; 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. 

This Psalm says dwelling in unity is like the anointing of the priest that runs from the head to every part of the body. A second simile says that unity is like "dew of Mount Hermon . . . on Mount Zion. A dew as profuse as that of Mount Hermon would make Mount Zion (or the mountains of Zion) richly fruitful" (NIV Study Bible notes). The anointing of the dew speaks to the production of the fruit of Galatians 5:22-23--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This is the fruit that nourishes the Body of Christ.

Jesus prayed for the unity of believers the night before He was arrested. The concerns for which He prayed and the words of Psalm 133 are very much in accord:

17:13 But now I come to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves. 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them from the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil `one'. 17:16 They are not of the world even as I am not of the world. 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth. 17:18 As thou didst send me into the world, even so sent I them into the world. 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. 17:20 Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word; 17:21 that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, `art' in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me. 17:22 And the glory which thou hast given me I have given unto them; that they may be one, even as we `are' one; 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that thou didst send me, and lovedst them, even as thou lovedst me. 17:24 Father, I desire that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

 

 

Unity was key as the anointing of the Holy Spirit was poured out on the day Of Pentecost:

2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The anointing of the Holy Spirit brings unity to the Body of Christ by stirring up the gifts, providing for our spiritual education, and leading us into the truth. "But you have an anointing from the Holy One and all of you know the truth. As for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit, just as it has taught you, remain in Him" (I John 20,27).

Just as the anointing oil poured from the head of the priest to all parts of the body; just as the dew from Hermon flowed to all parts of Zion, the Holy Spirit is poured out from heaven through Christ to all who are in unity in the fellowship of His church. And "how good and pleasant it is" to dwell in that unity!

"Anointing, fall on me,

Anointing, fall on me,

Let the power of the Holy Ghost, fall on me,

Anointing fall on me." Amen