PSALTERIVM

PSALMVS CXXXII — ECCE QVAM BONVM

Behold How Good It Is for Brethren to Dwell Together

Ecce quam bonum et quam iucundum is the beloved psalm of fraternal unity, comparing brethren dwelling together to precious oil and the dew of Hermon. In the 1962 Breviary it appears at Vespers on Thursdays. The imagery of anointing oil flowing down Aaron's beard connects fraternal charity to priestly consecration. This psalm is traditionally sung at monastic professions.

LATINE
Ecce quam bonum, et quam iucundum habitare fratres in unum.
Sicut unguentum in capite, quod descendit in barbam, barbam Aaron,
Quod descendit in oram vestimenti eius: sicut ros Hermon, qui descendit in montem Sion.
Quoniam illic mandavit Dominus benedictionem, et vitam usque in saeculum.
ENGLISH
Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.
Like the precious ointment on the head, that ran down upon the beard, the beard of Aaron,
Which ran down to the skirt of his garment: as the dew of Hermon, which descendeth upon mount Sion.
For there the Lord hath commanded blessing, and life for evermore.
NOTA
FONS
Douay-Rheims (1609) / Vulgata
USUS
Religious communities, Reconciliation
CONTEXT
Psalm 133 in Hebrew numbering. Fourteenth Song of Ascents. The anointing oil flowed from Aaron's head to his garments; so blessing flows from unity.