Psalm 133was recited at the original Templar Initiations.
“…He then vowed…to follow the usage and custom of the house; and to help to conquer the holy Land. After this he was formally admitted to the order,and the white mantel was placed on his shoulders. The brother-priest then spoke Psalm 133:” – Noel Currer-Briggs, The Shroud and the Grail- A Modern Quest for the True Grail
By reading this psalm below, see if you can figure out why it was significant to Templars of old. [Hint: The emphasis was on the first line about dwelling in unity.] How is it significant to we modern Templars? Send your answers to these two questions to the Bishop/Prioress.
Psalm 133- a song of ascents (of David)
“Ecce quam bonum et quam jocundum habitare fratres in unum” – Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.
It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes.
It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
Psalm 133, A song of Ascents
Of David
How good it is, how pleasant, where the people dwell as one!
Like precious ointment on the head, running down upon the beard, Upon the beard of Aaron, upon the collar of his robe.
Like dew of Hermon coming down upon the mountains of Zion. There the LORD has lavished blessings, life for evermore!
NAB Footnotes
1. Psalm 133 is a benediction over a peaceful community, most probably the people Israel, but appropriate too for Israelite families (Psalm 133:1).The history of Israel, whether of its ancestors in the book of Genesis or of later periods, was a history of distinct groups struggling to live in unity. Here that unity is declared blessed, like the holy oils upon the priest Aaron or the dew of the rainless summer that waters the crops (Psalm 133:2-3).
2. The people: literally, “brothers,” i.e., male and female members of a kin group or people–most probably, the people Israel.
3. Ointment: oil was used at the consecration of the high priest (Exodus30:22-33).
4. Dew: dew was an important source of moisture in the dry climate(Genesis 27:28; Hosea 14:6). Hermon: the majestic snow-capped mountain visible in the north of Palestine/Israel. [Pictured right: River Jordan with snowclad Mount Hermon in the background]
