The Message, April 7, 2024: "How Good and Pleasant," Psalm 133

Author: Rev. Scott W. Cousineau
April 09, 2024

 

“How Good and Pleasant”
A Message by Rev. Scott W. Cousineau
Psalm 133

“How good and pleasant it is
    when God’s people live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head,
    running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
    down on the collar of his robe.
It is as if the dew of Hermon
    were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
    even life forevermore.”

            How good and pleasant it is!

            Some translations say: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity.” Others say: “How good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity.” However, one phrases it, the image of ‘good and pleasant’ is constant.

            Of course, the past few days have NOT been good or pleasant for many of us. Some of us still remember the previous couple of weeks that were not good or pleasant either. There is nothing good or pleasant about losing your electricity, having your home or car damaged, or having to cancel worship on Palm Sunday because we had no electricity.

            Good and pleasant it was NOT.

            But … last Sunday was Easter Sunday and it was very good and very pleasant. It is hard to believe that it was only seven days ago, but it was wonderful and amazing! The spirit and energy in the church was amazing! The music was amazing! The sermon was … ehh … so so. [I should note that the congregation said that message was “amazing” too. ??] It was truly a glorious morning of worship!

            My family, like many families, gathered after worship for Easter dinner. Most of us were there. Unfortunately, my bother-in-law, Jorge, was in Germany working, and my nephew, Willem, was in Philadelphia at school, but he did FaceTime with us for a bit. We even had a friend from my childhood and youth join us for dinner because his wife is in Florida.

            After dinner we went for a walk on the beach. Yes … a beach walk in Ocean Park, Maine in March! It was gorgeous!

            As we walked, I truly felt … how good and pleasant this is.

            How good and pleasant it is. How truly lucky and blessed I am.

            These lines from the psalm speak to a place deep within us. They speak to a place where we feel loved and welcome and safe. They speak to a place where we feel intense feelings of care and nurture. The harmony and unity of family is a great blessing.

            I do know that there are those for whom these words may cause intense pain. There are those who come from families that are not loving or welcoming. There are those who have lost the most precious members of their families … they have lost the love of their lives. Please know that I hold each and every one of you in my heart. And I pray that you will feel the warmth and love of this beloved community.

            For that is what this psalm is all about.

            This psalm is one of the ‘Psalms of Ascent,’ songs that pilgrims sang as they approached Jerusalem for the great festivals. These words are words of worship, but they are based upon an age-old practice of their community.

            There is another reference to brothers or kindred living together in unity. It is found in Deuteronomy. The reference was to the practice of levirate marriage (when a brother passes away and the other brothers are to care for the brother’s widow), but it spoke to a larger concern. It spoke to families working together in order to strengthen the family. It then extended to the community working together for the benefit of all.

            In Hebrew scripture, a “blessing” was concrete and down to earth. It was not something esoteric or ephemeral. Blessing suggested the faithfulness of human beings to one another, and to their animals, and to their crops so that all might flourish. The unity and harmony of the family … and of the community … made certain that everyone had enough to eat, that everyone had adequate resources that they might live and flourish.

            How good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity.

            In the context of the psalm of ascent, it refers to pilgrims bound together in unity as they come together for worship. Pilgrims … worshippers … the faithful … joined together in worship, they sat together at festive meals, they sang and danced together. They were transformed into “family” through their mutual covenant with God. They were all God’s children. For the time that they were together they cared for one another.

            How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.

            The oil running down the head onto the beard and then onto the robe may sound awful to us today. (It reminds me of my ill-fated attempt to change my own oil in my car. “What is that warm feeling on my head?” But beautiful, fragrant olive oil is very different than filthy, old motor oil.) The practice of good and expensive oil being poured on the head was one of the ancient practices of hospitality. It was a custom that honored the guest.

            In this context, it refers to the blessing of life that people receive in God’s kingdom. It called to mind the consecration of their priests and kings, but it spoke to the abundant life that all would receive in the unity of their beloved community. The unity and harmony that God offers the world is the ultimate “family” value.

            This short psalm celebrates the goodness of God. It celebrates the goodness of life with God and the goodness of life in the gathered community of God. God builds a community that transcends barriers that separate and diminish life. God builds a community that brings people together and adds life.

            A little over a year ago, I met with the new director of Saco Main Street. We sat at one of the picnic tables outside and I shared a vision that I have for our community. I said: “Picture this … Main Street with one, huge banquet table right down the center. People coming from all parts of town, all walks of life bringing food to share with one another. A giant potluck dinner in the middle of Main Street. Wouldn’t that be amazing. No politics. No ‘those’ or ‘them.’ No ‘others’ who are unwelcome or uninvited. Just us … all of us … together.”

            This week I tried to imagine how we might gather differently here for communion. I imagined a banquet table that encircled the sanctuary with all of us sitting around sharing the common meal … laughing and singing and worshiping together.

How good and pleasant it is
    when God’s people live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head,
    running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
    down on the collar of his robe.
It is as if the dew of Hermon
    were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
    even life forevermore.

            How good and pleasant it is when we live together in unity.
            How good and pleasant it is when we make the welfare of our neighbors a priority.
            How good and pleasant it is when we hold one another by the hand no matter who they are.
            How good and pleasant it is when we love with hearts wide open; when we share a love powerful enough to break down walls and build relationships.
            How good and pleasant indeed. Amen.

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