A paraphrase of Psalm 133

I received a paraphrase of Psalm 133 in an email list list yesterday that I found delightful. So I thought I'd share it (after already sharing it in chapel last night).

The following is the NRSV's version of Psalm 133:

How very good and pleasant it is
when kindred live together in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down upon the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down over the collar of his robes.
It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there the Lord ordained his blessing,
life for evermore.

[posted with help from Oremus Bible Browser]


The following is a paraphrase that fits a bit more with our experience today:

How wonderful it is to live
in harmony with all people:
like stepping out of the bath,
your whole body fresh and vibrant;
like the morning dew, glistening
on the tiniest blade of grass.
It is God's infinite blessing,
a taste of eternal life.

Stephen Mitchell, from A Book of Psalms: Selected and Adapted from the Hebrew

Taken from *culture is not optional's e-mail list "daily asterisk" - 23 July 2008.