How do you write a speech on Psalm 133.1?

Answer 1

Psalm 133:1: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" Traditionally, the psalm is attributed to King David, but scholars say that the psalms are a genre that was unknown at the time of David. They say the psalms were actually written during and after the Babylonian Exile. Note the fond reference to Zion in verse 3: this would be quite incongruous for David, but in keeping for Jews in exile or just returned to Zion (Jerusalem).

First of all decide whether you will talk about the verse as a religious statement in the context of the psalm or as a secular statement of wisdom.

If you decide to talk about verse 1 in context of the psalm as a whole, you should decide whether to follow the traditional or scholarly view as to authorship, as that will influence your understanding of the psalm. The scholarly view would point to the brothers (or brethren) as all the Jews in exile and supporting each other, or back in Jerusalem and working together to restore their city. The traditional view requires some speculation as to what David would have meant.

If you decide to talk about the wisdom contained within the verse, your scope is much wider. It is good for brothers (actual brothers or comrades) to be united.