Sesame, rose, jasmine, cinnamon, neroli, benzoin, amber and orange blossom were added to oil sourced from olive groves at monasteries on the Mount of Olives to create the precious oil with which King Charles III was anointed at his coronation. The fragrance must have been overwhelming. Anointing with oil is an ancient symbol of blessing and consecration. 

A very special fragranced oil was prepared and used to anoint Aaron, his sons and their descendants as priests (Exodus 30:22–33). This was a symbol of God’s blessing and of their ordination; the oil made them holy. Unity between brothers is like this – fragrant and special to God. Although the psalm may have spoken originally about unity within natural families, it also speaks to us about the unity of Christian believers. 

As a hospital chaplain, I often met patients who were more worried about their family’s problems than their own. Some would tell of adult children who had fallen out and did not speak to each other. If that causes distress to human parents, imagine how God must feel when his children do not get along.

Mountain dew brings refreshment and enables vegetation to grow (v 3). Unity among the household of God welcomes the blessing of growth and refreshment.