Psalm 131:2

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 131:2

(2) Surely.—This seems the best way of rendering the phrase, which literally is if not, and is plainly elliptical, being commonly used to express strong asseveration after an oath.I have behaved . . .—The figure here is plain. It is taken from a baby’s first real sorrow when he not merely feels pain, but is allowed no access to that which was his solace hitherto. He moans, and frets, and sobs, but at last is quieted by the love which is powerful to soothe, even when it must deny. So, as George... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 131:1-3

Psalms 131:1-3A QUIET, because self-quieted, heart speaks here in quiet accents, not unlike the "crooning" of the peaceful child on its mother’s bosom, to which the sweet singer likens his soul. The psalm is the most perfect expression of the child-like spirit, which, as Christ has taught, is characteristic of the subjects of the kingdom of heaven. It follows a psalm of penitence, in which a contrite soul waited on Jehovah for pardon, and, finding it, exhorted Israel to hope in His redemption... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Psalms 131:1-3

Psalm 120-134 The Psalms of Degrees Fifteen brief Psalms follow, called songs of degrees, or, ascents. They were in all probability used by Israel going up to Jerusalem three times a year to celebrate the feasts of the Lord--”Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, a testimony for Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.” They are indeed Psalms of “the goings-up” for we rise higher and higher as we read through them. Prophetically they give us again the steps from trial and... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 131:2

131:2 Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul [is] even as a {c} weaned child.(c) He was void of ambition and wicked desires. read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Psalms 131:1-3

This group is differentiated by the title attached to each: “A Song of Degrees” or “A Song of Ascents.” The title seems derived from the going up of the people to Jerusalem at the great festivals which came three times a year. (Compare Deuteronomy 16:16 ; 1 Kings 12:27-28 , etc.); the thought being that they chanted the psalms at different stages in their journey. The pertinency of this application of these psalms is more apparent in some than others. For example, Psalms 121:0 represents the... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Psalms 131:2

Jacob. Probably after he had removed the ark to Sion. (Berthier) --- What is omitted in one place, is thus explained elsewhere. (Calmet) --- David had a most earnest desire to build the temple; and though the honour was reserved for his son, he prepared the materials. (Worthington) --- He acknowledges that without God, he cannot perform his vow. (Berthier) --- We have engaged to be the temples of God. (St. Augustine) read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Psalms 131:1-3

Humble Submission to God. A song of degrees of David, in which he expresses his feelings when exercising his royal authority and teaches proper submissiveness to the heavenly Father. v. 1. Lord, my heart is not haughty, filled with arrogant pride on account of his elevation from the lowly position of shepherd to that of the king of Israel, nor mine eyes lofty, for the pride of the heart finds its expression chiefly in the eyes; neither do I exercise myself in great matters, with the... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Psalms 131:1-3

Psalms 131:0A Song of degrees of David Lord, my heart is not haughty,Nor mine eyes lofty:Neither do I exercise myself in great matters,Or in things too high for me.2 Surely I have behaved and quieted myself,As a child that is weaned of his mother:My soul is even as a weaned child.3 Let Israel hope in the LordFrom henceforth and for ever.EXEGETICAL AND CRITICALContents and Composition.—The Psalmist asseverates that in humility of heart he has kept himself from occasions of and... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Psalms 131:1-3

“Out of the Depths” Psalms 130:1-8 ; Psalms 131:1-3 The cry , Psalms 130:1-2 . The word Lord occurs as often as there are verses. The soul in trouble repeats again and again that precious Name, in which comfort and help are summed up. The chief cause of anguish , Psalms 130:3-4 , is the memory of our sins. But our iniquities are not marked save by the jewels of forgiveness, like the pearls of an oyster that are set in the place where it was wounded. The soul’s attitude , Psalms 130:5-6... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Psalms 131:1-3

This is a brief psalm, but it is very full of beauty, as it sets forth the contentment of a restless soul in the will of God. It follows the last as an advance of experience, and as a sequence. Its peculiar note is not that of a natural contentment, but of a satisfaction won in spite of all contrary tendencies. The thought of weaning is the dominant one. That for which a child craves it at last comes to be content without. So the soul of the singer, which once was ambitious and restlessly... read more

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