Psalms 131

A song of ascents. Of David.

1 My heart is not proud, LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.

2 But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.

3 Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.

Psalms 131 Commentary

Chapter 131

The psalmist's humility. Believers encouraged to trust in God.

- 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, ( Matthew 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.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 101:5; Isaiah 2:12; Romans 12:16
• 2. S 2 Samuel 22:28; S Job 41:34
• 3. Jeremiah 45:5
• 4. S Job 5:9; Psalms 139:6
• 5. S Psalms 116:7
• 6. Matthew 18:3; 1 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Corinthians 14:20
• 7. S Psalms 25:5; Psalms 119:43; Psalms 130:7
• 8. S Psalms 113:2

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 131

\\<>\\. This psalm was written by David in his younger days, before he came to the throne; while he was in Saul's court, or persecuted by him. The occasion of it, as is generally thought, was a calumny cast upon him, as if he had some ill designs against Saul; was ambitious of the crown, and aspiring to the throne, and was plotting and forming measures to get the government into his hand; see 1Sa 24:9,14, 26:18,20; with respect to all which he declares himself as innocent as a weaned child; and was as far from any such ambitious views as he was when in such a state; for the truth of which he appealed to God. Kimchi thinks that David, by his example, taught the Jews how to behave in captivity; that as he behaved, so should they, in great humility. The Syriac inscription is, ``it is said concerning Jesus the son of Josedech the high priest; and concerning humility.'' But the psalm no doubt was written by David of himself.