| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
| A Song of degrees of David. |
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| 1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! |
How pleasant – This Psalms seems to be specially applicable to our day. R4994:3
Brethren – The Church. R4994:3
But truth and error, light and darkness, are not brethren. They are implacable and everlasting foes. R753:5, R5229:5
Together in unity – All who have the spirit of the Head must be in sympathy with the fellow members of the Body. F132
The more the Lord's jewels come together, the more opportunities for friction, and the more need for the holy Spirit. R4995:6
It would be easier for a company of people in the nominal church to live together in unity. R4995:1
While each New Creature is a complete member of Christ, yet in addition all the New Creatures are to recognize themselves as members one of another, and are to exercise toward each other such love as will prevent friction and enable the whole to cooperate for its own upbuilding and completion. R2227:5
Made difficult because of the Christian's real intrinsic worth or character--like diamonds being rubbed together. R4995:4
Let our combativeness be engaged against the great enemy and all the works of sin--including those in our fallen flesh. R3246:5
Each brother has a right to his own opinion. We have no right to make our views tests. The things that are tests are the things given us in the Scriptures. R4995:3,4
If we find any member unendurable, we should ask for more of the Lord's spirit so that we may exercise more patience and brotherly kindness in dealing with that one. R5230:1,4
The most favorable condition for unity is that all shall seek to have the Lord's will done in their mortal bodies. R5229:3
Illustrated by David, who was emphatically a man of peace toward his brethren of all the tribes. R3246:5
Illustrated in the Bethel family. HG503:1
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| 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; |
Precious ointment – The holy Spirit. T37, R5235:6, R5654:5, R5971:6
"The anointing which we have received of him abideth in you " (1 John 2:27) T37, E215
The anointing belongs to the entire Body--the qualifying power of God on all the Royal Priesthood, authorizing them to declare the glad tidings. E215; Q23:T, R5971:6
Jesus' anointing was God's recognition and acceptance of his sacrifice. R1688:4
Upon the head – Upon Christ Jesus at the time of his baptism. T37, R5424:5, R5549:4, R5587:5; CR460:3
"Anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows." (Psa. 45:7) T37
In Jesus alone have we any standing before God. R5536:5
That ran down – From the baptism of Jesus to the last member of his Body. E215; CR251:5; OV161:T; CR460:3
The underpriests took part in the ceremony and were anointed symbolically in him as members of his body. R135:1, R270:6
Even Aaron's – Type of The Christ, Head and Body. T37
To the skirts – Showing that the same anointing covers all the members of the Body. R4994:3, R5971:6, R5549:4, R5654:5, R1715:3; SM599:T, Q452:T, CR251:5
Of his garments – Anointing all who are truly his, covered by his robes. R72:6; T38
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| 3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. |
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