Commentary on the Psalms 45

'Behold now, what is good, or what is pleasant' — another renders it, 'Behold, what is good, and what is fair' — 'but for brethren to dwell together in unity?' Many things are indeed good, but they lack pleasantness;

others again have pleasure, but are deprived of what is most excellent;

but for both to come together is not at all easy to find.

But in this thing of which it speaks, both these have run together — both pleasure and what is most excellent.

For this above all is what love possesses;

together with its usefulness it has also what is easiest and most pleasant.

This love, then, he here celebrates in song.

For he did not speak simply of dwelling, nor of being confined within one little house, but of dwelling together in unity — that is, with concord and love;

for this is what makes them to be one soul.

Then, having called it good and pleasant, and making his discourse yet clearer,

he brings forth what has been said by way of an example, and sets down bodily images which are able to present the sight more clearly to the hearer.

And what these images are, behold.

'Like the ointment upon the head, that runs down upon the beard, the beard of Aaron, that runs down upon the border of his garment.'

For this man, being high priest, was anointed with this ointment, and it dripped down over him from every side, and he was exceedingly gracious to those who beheld him, and delightful and lovely by reason of this anointing.

Just as that man, therefore, he says, anointed with this ointment, is comely in his appearance, radiant in his countenance, filled with much fragrance, and gives delight to the eyes that behold him;

so also this thing is good;

and just as that spectacle is not only fair to look upon, but also delights the eyes;

so also this thing implants pleasure in the soul.

'Like the dew of Hermon, that comes down upon the mountains of Zion.'

And he has brought forward yet another image, one having much pleasantness and affording delight to the beholder.

These things he has set down not without purpose, but because before the captivity the ten tribes and the two were scattered apart, and this became the cause of much lawlessness, and cast them into factions, rivalries, and wars. So that these things might not happen, he exhorts and counsels that the people should no longer be torn asunder, but dwell together, and be joined into one, and be ranged under one leader of the people and king, and that love should flow from beginning even unto end, just as also the dew passes through all things.

And he compares love to ointment and to dew, wishing by the former to set forth its fragrance, and by the latter its refreshment and the delightfulness of the sight.

'For there the Lord commanded the blessing.'

Where is 'there'? In such a dwelling together, in such harmony, in such concord, in such shared habitation.

For indeed this is a blessing, just as the contrary is a curse.

Wherefore also a certain one praises this, saying:

'The friendship of brethren, and the concord of neighbours, and a man and wife who live agreeably with one another.'

And another, enigmatically hinting at his strength, says:

If two lie together, then they have warmth; and a threefold cord shall not quickly be broken.

For here he shows both the pleasure and the strength, and he makes plain that when they are at rest the pleasure will be great, and when they are active the strength will be great.

And again: A brother helped by a brother is like a strong city.

And Christ likewise says: Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.

And nature itself demands this.

Wherefore also from the beginning, when God fashioned man, He said:

It is not good that the man should be alone;

and in making this living being — I mean the woman — He bound her to the man by the necessity of need, drawing us to one another through countless means.

For where love is, there is great security, great is the aid that comes from God.

For this is the mother of good things; this is their root and fountain; this is the abolition of wars, the undoing of contention.

Wherefore also, making this plain, he added: And life for evermore.

For just as strife and contention work deaths, and untimely deaths;

so also love and concord bring peace and harmony;

and where there is peace and concord, the things of life are enjoyed with freedom from fear and with all security.

And what need is there to speak of things present? For love bestows heaven upon us, and the unspeakable good things, and it is the queen of the virtues.

Knowing these things, then, let us pursue it with all diligence, that we may enjoy both the good things present and those to come;

which may it be granted us all to attain, by the grace and lovingkindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom to the Father be glory, together with the Holy Spirit, unto the ages of ages.