Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is]
Aben Ezra thinks the word thing should be supplied; the thing is
what follows;
for brethren to dwell together in unity:
which the Targum interprets of Zion and Jerusalem, as two
brethren; Aben Ezra of the priests; Kimchi of the King Messiah
and the priest; and Jarchi, and Kimchi's father, of the
Israelites; which is best of all, especially of those who are
Israelites indeed; for this is not to be understood of all
mankind, who are in some sense brethren, being all of one blood,
and among whom peace is to be cultivated; nor merely of those of
the same nation, under one and the same government, who should
endeavour to live peaceably and quietly; nor of brethren in a
strict natural state, who belong to the same family, and are of
the same parents, and should be kindly affectioned one to
another; but rather of such who are so in a spiritual sense, who
have God for their fatherly adoption and regeneration, are
related to Christ the firstborn among many brethren, and are
members one of another, in the same church state; all which are a
reason why they should love as brethren, and endeavour to keep
the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, ( Matthew 23:8
) ( Ephesians
4:3 Ephesians
4:6 ) ( 1 Peter 2:17
) ( 3:8 ) (
Hebrews
13:1 ) ; and "to dwell together in unity"; even as one man,
as if one soul actuated them all; it is not only to dwell and
abide in the house of God, where they have all a name and a
place; but to associate together there, to go up to the house of
God in company, and with delight to join together in acts of
religious worship; to serve the Lord with one consent, with one
mind and mouth to glorify God, and to be of one accord, having
the same love; and to do all kind and good offices one to another
in the most hearty and cordial manner; serving each other in
love, bearing one another's burdens, sympathizing with each other
in all circumstances, forgiving each other offences committed,
praying with one another, and building up each other in their
most holy faith, stirring up one another to love and to good
works: now this is both "good" and "pleasant"; it is good, as
being according to the will of God, the new command of Christ;
what evidences the truth of regeneration, and of being the
disciples of Christ; what makes the communion of saints
comfortable and edifying, and without which a profession of
religion is good for nothing: and it is pleasant to God and
Christ, to angels and men, to the ministers of the Gospel, and to
all about them and in a connection with them; and it is this
which makes any particular dispensation in time delightful and
agreeable; as the first times of the Gospel, and the latter day
glory, the Philadelphian church state, which has its name from
brotherly love; yea, it will be the glory and delight of heaven.
Now this is ushered in with a note of attention and admiration,
"behold", and with a note of exclamation, "how"; the psalmist
pointing at some instance or instances of this kind, which were
very amiable, and worthy of imitation; and suggesting that such a
case is rare and wonderful, and inexpressibly good, profitable,
and pleasant. Gussetius F26 renders it, "how good is the
sabbatism of brethren, even gathered together"; for the exercise
of religion, prayer, praise