Psalms131
English Standard Version
1A of . Of . O Lord, my is ; my are too high; I do myself with things too and too me.
2But I have and my , like a with its ; like a is my me.
3O , in the Lord this .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 131.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The psalmist's humility. Believers encouraged to trust in God. (1-3).
vv1-3
The psalmist aimed at nothing high or great, but to be content in every condition God allotted. Humble saints cannot think so well of themselves as others think of them. The love of God reigning in the heart, will subdue self-love. Where there is a proud heart, there is commonly a proud look. To know God and our duty, is learning sufficiently high for us. It is our wisdom not to meddle with that which does not belong to us. He was well reconciled to every condition the Lord placed him in. He had been as humble as a little child about the age of weaning, and as far from aiming at high things; as entirely at God's disposal, as the child at the disposal of the mother or nurse. We must become as little children, Mt 18:3. Our hearts are desirous of worldly things, cry for them, and are fond of them; but, by the grace of God, a soul that is made holy, is weaned from these things. The child is cross and fretful while in the weaning; but in a day or two it cares no longer for milk, and it can bear stronger food. Thus does a converted soul quiet itself under the loss of what it loved, and disappointments in what it hoped for, and is easy whatever happens. When our condition is not to our mind, we must bring our mind to our condition; then we are easy to ourselves and all about us; then our souls are as a weaned child. And thus the psalmist recommends confidence in God, to all the Israel of God, from his own experience. It is good to hope, and quietly to wait for the salvation of the Lord under every trial.
Key Words
שִׁיר: a song; abstractly, singing
מַעֲלָה: elevation, i.e. the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step or grademark, figuratively, a superiority of station); specifically a climactic progression (in certain Psalms)
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
לֵב: the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
לֹא: not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
גָּבַהּ: to soar, i.e. be lofty; figuratively, to be haughty
עַיִן: an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
רוּם: to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
הָלַךְ: to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
גָּדוֹל: great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
Cross References
Psalms 131Jesus uses the child metaphor to teach the same humble, converted state of mind.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Lofty eyes (haughty looks) are directly identified as a primary manifestation of pride.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Paul instructs believers not to mind high things, but to associate with the humble.
Supported by John Calvin
Identical verbal call for Israel to hope in the Lord, concluding the preceding Song of Degrees.
Supported by Matthew Henry
God warns Baruch against seeking great things for himself, matching the Psalmist's restraint.
Supported by John Calvin
Uses the identical imagery of those weaned from milk to illustrate receiving divine instruction.
Supported by JFB
Explicitly connects humbling oneself like a little child to entering the kingdom.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the language of things 'too wonderful' or too high to grasp or pursue.
Supported by John Calvin