612. Ecce quam bonum

A paraphrase of Psalm 133, a Song of Ascents or pilgrimage hymn by David. I'm a bit reluctant to write it, since I'm inordinately pleased with a musical setting of this psalm that I wrote some years ago. But a paraphrase it wasn't, so here goes. I am acquainted with only two tunes that would fit this text: Henry Jenner's mediocre QUAM DILECTA (cf. Service Book & Hymnal, "We love the place, O God", etc.) or the just slightly less unremarkable ST. CECILIA by Leighton G. Hayne, †1883 (CF. SBH, "Thy kingdom come, O God"). I'd rather go for the Hayne (below) than write another original tune. ART: Moses anointing Aaron, from the Medhurst Picture Torah, 1835.

O brethren, it is well
And pleasing to behold
For us as one to dwell,
Like oil most dearly sold—

Yea, oil most dearly sold
That, poured on Aaron's head,
Onto his garment's fold
And o'er his whiskers sped—

As Hermon's, Zion's dew
The mountainsides descend.
The Lord His word will do—
The blessing without end.