Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 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. 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.
Psalm 133:1–3
Words: Isaac Watts, The Psalms of David 1719, alt. The blessings of friendship.
Music: Dalston Aaron Williams, 1760 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good picture of Williams (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
How pleasant ’tis to see
Our kin and friends agree,
Each in their proper station move;
And each fulfill their part
With sympathizing heart,
In all the cares of life and love!
’Tis like the ointment shed
On Aaron’s sacred head,
Divinely rich, divinely sweet;
The oil thro’ all the room
Diffused a choice perfume,
Ran thro’ his robes, and blest his feet.
Like fruitful showers of rain
That water all the plain,
Descending from the neighboring hills;
Such streams of pleasure roll
Thro’ every friendly soul,
Where love like heav’nly dew distills.