“A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! together: Heb. even together”
Canticle. David composed it for the Levites going on duty, (Haydock) or Solomon for the dedication of the temple. The people might use it on the last day of the three great festivals; or the Levites are exhorted to watch carefully. They may excite each other, (ver. 2.; Calmet) as all Christians should do, 1 Peter ii. 9. (Berthier) — In the courts, &c., seems to be taken from Psalm cxxxiv. 2., (Calmet) as it is not in Hebrew. (St. Hilary) — The court of the people was divided for the men and women, and perhaps there was a separate place for the priests, and for the Levites, in the court of allotted to them, where the latter kept watch. (Calmet)
“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;”
Lift up. This posture was very natural, and expressive, 1 Timothy ii. 8. (Haydock) — Agatharcides testifies, that the Jews did no servile work on the sabbath, but “stretched forth their hands to pray in the temple, till the evening.” (Josephus, contra App. 1.)
“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.”
Thee. “A Levite on guard answers the cantor,” (Houbigant) or the priests say this to the people, when they were departing home, Numbers vi. 23. (Calmet) — Earth. All things were made to praise God. (Worthington)